Continents such as Asia and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, are home to various cultures and traditions. One such tradition is practicing holistic living, which can be experienced at Swaswara on Om Beach in Gokarna. For a unique stay in Shekhawati, Piramal Haveli is worth considering. If you're looking for luxury travel in a pilgrim's city, Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa is an ideal choice. Experience the vibrant lifestyle of Lucknow at Clarks Awadh. Serolsar Lake holds a legend about a snake goddess called Budhi Nagin. In Indian families, the first ghee made from a cow's milk after it gives birth to a calf is considered sacred and is saved for worship. I am fortunate to have been born into a family that still values the presence of cows in our culture.
Whenever a new calf is born, I have observed my mother and grandmother participating in a ritual. Intrigued by their actions, I decided to inquire about the significance of collecting ghee in a jar and the restriction on consuming from that specific jar. Seeking answers, I approached my grandmother, who explained that the first milk ghee is gathered for Budhi Nagin in Serolsar Lake.
The story behind the existence of Budhi Nagin, also known as Buddi Nagin, begins in the Seraj region of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh. She possessed certain abilities bestowed upon her by Durga Maa, a form of Nava Durga. Buddi Nagin eventually married in the Suket area, which is now recognized as the Karsog district in Himachal Pradesh.
Buddhi Nagin decided to visit the local water area of the Satluj River. Before leaving, she told her mother not to disturb her sleeping children who were peacefully resting in a traditional husk basket kept in the kitchen. In the past, it was common for people to use husk baskets as a makeshift baby crib before baby prams became popular.
Eventually, the mother became concerned because the children had been sleeping for an extended period of time without waking up. Despite disregarding the warnings from Budhi Nagin, the mother decided to remove the blanket. To her surprise, she discovered 5-6 snakes inside it, which frightened her. In a state of panic, she quickly grabbed some ash from the kitchen and threw it at the snakes. The snakes scattered in various directions, and it is assumed that they were forgotten about after this incident.
Upon Buddha Nagin's return, she was devastated to discover that her children were no longer present. Overwhelmed by sadness, she made the decision to depart from the village. In the Bhiuri village of Karsog, there remains a cherished stone idol that is worshipped within the very home in which Buddha Nagin resided.
The house, which is of a small size, is beyond repair or refurbishment. Budhi Nagin departed from the house and arrived at Serolsar Lake, located near Jalori Pass in the Banjar Valley of Kullu District in Himachal Pradesh.
The locals in the region believe that Buddhi Nagin is the mother of Nagdev, who is considered the snake god. They also believe that Nagas, or snakes, are associated with the deity Shiva. Each Naga has their own designated area and village named after them, such as Chowasi Nag, Hungru Nag, and Jhakad Nag.
In the villages mentioned, numerous stunning temples are built using the architectural style of Himachal Pradesh. These temples feature intricate wooden carvings that add to their beauty. Annually, Nag Devtas, priests, and local residents come together and visit different areas. During these visits, people offer donations to the Nagas in various forms. Additionally, they partake in traditional Himachali dances known as Nati.
The mesmerizing meadows surround the lake, creating a tranquil atmosphere. Visitors can experience the beauty of the sunset and appreciate the breathtaking panoramic view of the mountains in every direction.
According to the tale, Buddhi Nagin arrived at Serolsar Lake and settled on a large stone. At that time, there were 60 young girls known as Joginis or Yoginis, who were part of a group called the Paudi of Inderdev. Some of them were heading towards Shikari Devi in Mandi, while others were going to Jalori Jot. While passing by Serolsar Lake, they noticed Buddhi Nagin sitting there. The Joginis approached her and proposed to play a game together.
The assumption was made that it would be easy to defeat Budhi Nagin due to her old age. A decision was reached that if Budhi Nagin emerged victorious in the game, she would consider this place sacred. Conversely, if the Joginis were to win, she would depart from this location.
During the game, a girl cheated, which caused Buddi Nagin to become very angry. As a punishment, Buddi Nagin cursed the girl, transforming her into a small bird and assigning her the perpetual duty of cleaning a small water body. This small bird is now referred to as Abhi Chidiya.
After winning the game, Buddi Nagin made the choice to make this place her permanent home. As she was exploring Serolsar, she accidentally dropped a small pot she was carrying, which resulted in the creation of a lake at that very spot. And so, the lake came into existence in this manner.
The boulder where Buddi Nagin was seated has been given the name Kala Pathar.
The story of the Pandavas takes place during their time in exile. After reaching Jalori Pass, they arrived at Serolsar Lake. While there, they decided to cultivate rice around the lake. According to the legend, a mythical creature known as Buddi Nagin appeared before them and then returned to the lake.
The Pandavas retrieved the statue of her from the lake and placed it on the shores. They constructed a small sanctuary for her near the lake. Over the years, the temple has undergone several renovations. The present temple is the fourth one following the renovations.
At the Budhi Nagin Temple, people have a tradition of offering ghee. Budhi Nagin, who is considered the mother of all the Nag Devta in the Mandi and Kullu region, had a special affection for cows. As a result, visitors to her temple bring ghee as an offering. According to popular belief, when ghee is poured inside the temple, it is believed to reach the center of the lake where Budhi Nagin is believed to reside.
Individuals carry large amounts of ghee to both the temple and the lake. The Nagdevas, who are deities of snakes, from the surrounding area visit Budhi Nagin once annually during specific events. These events are determined by the local priests.
During the winter season, the temple is not accessible to visitors because it is shut down as a
Discover the 10 most recommended books about the Himalayas.
There is a lack of knowledge regarding the exact depth of Serolsar Lake, making it a mysterious feature.
Here is an intriguing tale filled with mystery. A Brahmin, accompanied by his family, was leisurely walking near the lake when he accidentally fell into its waters. Despite their efforts, his family was unable to rescue him. Surprisingly, after a span of three years, the Brahmin reappeared, seemingly emerging from the very lake he had fallen into. It turns out that during his absence, he had made a promise to Budhi Nagin, a mythical serpent-like creature, not to disclose her existence to anyone.
His family persistently questioned him, inquiring about his whereabouts and how he managed to survive. Eventually, Brahmin revealed the truth. He explained that when he fell into the lake, he sank to its depths and was rescued by Buddi Nagin. According to him, she resides in a magnificent golden palace beneath the lake's surface. He also mentioned observing numerous milk containers while she was busy churning curd.
Once he revealed the truth, he met his demise. The locals arrived at the lake and witnessed strange occurrences taking place. It was understood that Buddi Nagin desired for the lake to remain undisturbed and maintained in a pristine condition. True to its reputation, the lake was consistently clean, devoid of any leaves or debris.
Discover the breathtaking beauty of India's 12 most stunning lakes.
Jalori Pass is located in the Banjar Valley of the Kullu district, near the Suket area of Karsog. This pass serves as a connection between the Kullu and Shimla districts and was constructed by the British in order to reach Kullu.
Jalori Pass is situated at an elevation of 2000 m. During the winter season, this pass becomes inaccessible because of the significant amount of snowfall it receives. Banjar Valley, located in the Kullu district, is a unique and less explored tourist spot.
The Kullu district is split into three primary valleys, namely Tirthan, Banjar, and Sainj Valley. The route to Jibhi from Jalori Pass is a scenic drive adorned with thick deodar trees.
The district of Anni in Kullu, located between Jalori's pass and Shimla, is famous for its apple orchards. Visitors can enjoy a stunning sight of these orchards during the apple season.
Looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life? Embark on a trek through the breathtaking Himalayas to rejuvenate your connection with nature. The picturesque journey covers a distance of 5 kilometers and leads to the serene Serolsar Lake, nestled within Jalori Pass. This hike is an ideal choice for those seeking solace
Hiking in this area is a simple and straightforward experience, as you follow a direct path through a thick forest filled with deodar and banyan trees. The hike offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, allowing you to appreciate the beauty from every angle. Moreover, the mountains are known for their stunning sunsets, making it
Each season follows a unique path, and in the summer, the surroundings are filled with vivid colors as if Moses himself painted them on the tree trunks. This season is also home to some of the most uncommon types of plants and animals, such as rare herbs, medicinal plants, and untamed wilderness.
Tips for Traveling
If you're looking for affordable accommodation near Jalori Pass, there are plenty of homestays available. Additionally, you have the option of camping in the meadows of Jalori Pass. Accessing Jalori Pass is convenient and straightforward.
Pallavi Thakur has written this post as a component of the IndiTales Internship Program.
This destination is highly recommended for individuals who want to experience the charm of Indian culture and traditions. After reading your blog, I feel inspired to visit this place and witness its incredible beauty. Thank you for publishing such informative articles.
It's fascinating to learn about the customs and heritage associated with ghee!
Corinne, a woman named
I found this blog to be very enjoyable, especially the story of Budhi Nagin.
Please cancel your reply by leaving a comment. Remember to save my name, email, and website for future comments in this browser.
In this code snippet, the getElementById method is used to select an element with the ID "ak_js_1". The setAttribute method is then called on this element to set the value attribute to the current time in milliseconds.
Get updates
Trending articles
Exploring the 10th Century in Kashmir with Ashish Kaul
Embracing a holistic lifestyle at Swaswara, located on Om Beach in Gokarna
Purkhauti Muktangan – A tribute to our ancestors
Experience a luxurious stay at the Grand Dragon Hotel in Ladakh
Discover the greenery and beauty of Silvassa, the capital of Dadra & Nagar Haveli
Related topics
More blogs
