Continents like Asia and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, offer diverse and unique experiences. One such experience is the holistic living offered at Swaswara, located on Om Beach in Gokarna. If you're looking for accommodation in Shekhawati, Piramal Haveli is a great option to consider. For a luxurious travel experience in the pilgrimage city of Pushkar, Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa is the perfect choice. Clarks Awadh offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant life of Lucknow. Another interesting destination is Serolsar Lake, known for the legend of Budhi Nagin. In Indian culture, the first ghee made from a cow's milk after giving birth to a calf is considered sacred and is saved for worship. Fortunately, I was born into a family that still values cows as an integral part of our culture.
Whenever a new calf is born, I have witnessed my mother and grandmother performing a ritual. Intrigued by the practice of collecting ghee in a jar and prohibiting anyone from consuming it, I approached my grandmother to seek an explanation. It was then that I discovered that the initial milk ghee is collected for Budhi Nagin, who resides in Serolsar Lake.
The legendary figure known as Buddi Nagin originated from the Seraj region of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh. She possessed certain abilities bestowed upon her by Durga Maa, a form of the divine Nava Durga. Buddi Nagin later married in the Suket area, which is now recognized as the Karsog district in Himachal Pradesh.
Buddhi Nagin ventured close to the local water area of the Satluj River. She made it clear to her mother that she should not disturb her children while she was away. Her children were peacefully sleeping in a basket made of husks, which was a common practice before baby prams became popular.
Her mother became concerned when the children slept for an extended period without waking up. Ignoring Budhi Nagin's advice, her mother decided to remove the blanket. To her surprise, she discovered 5-6 snakes hidden within it. Filled with fear, she quickly grabbed some ash from the kitchen and threw it onto the snakes. Startled, the snakes scattered in various directions. It is said that they were never thought of again after this incident.
Upon Buddha Nagin's return, she experienced deep sadness upon discovering that her children were no longer present. This led her to make the decision to leave the village. In the Bhiuri village of Karsog, there remains a small stone idol that is still revered and worshipped, symbolizing the presence of Buddha Nagin in the house where she once resided.
The house is too damaged to be reconstructed or repaired. Budhi Nagin decided to leave the house and make his way to Serolsar Lake, located near Jalori Pass in the Banjar Valley of Kullu District in Himachal Pradesh.
Naga worship is a practice where people believe in Buddhi Nagin being the mother of Nagdev, who is considered the snake god. The residents of the area believe that Nagas are connected to Shiva. Each Naga has their own designated area and village named after them, such as Chowasi Nag, Hungru Nag, and Jhakad Nag.
Within these villages, numerous stunning temples are built using the architectural style of Himachal Pradesh. These temples are adorned with exquisite wooden carvings. Annually, Nag Devtas (snake deities), priests, and villagers embark on a procession throughout their region. People offer donations to the Nagas in various forms. Additionally, the locals partake in traditional Himachali dances known as Nati.
Situated amidst captivating fields, the lake offers a breathtaking experience. Visitors can witness a truly stunning sunset and marvel at the panoramic view of the surrounding mountains from every angle.
According to the tale, there was a woman named Buddhi Nagin who arrived at Serolsar Lake and settled on a large rock. In the vicinity, there were 60 young girls known as Joginis or Yoginis. Some of them were on their way to Shikari Devi in Mandi, while others were headed to Jalori Jot. These Joginis noticed Buddhi Nagin sitting by the Serolsar Lake and decided to approach her, suggesting they play a game together.
The assumption was made that the elderly woman could be easily overcome. A decision was reached that if Budhi Nagin emerged victorious in the game, she would consider this location sacred. Conversely, if the Joginis were to win, she would vacate the premises.
During the game, a girl engaged in cheating, which greatly infuriated Buddi Nagin. In response, Buddi Nagin cursed the girl to be permanently transformed into a small bird and assigned her the duty of cleaning a small body of water. This small bird is now referred to as Abhi Chidiya.
After winning the game, Buddi Nagin made the choice to stay in this place permanently. She had a small pot in her possession as she left her home. While wandering around in Serolsar, the pot slipped from her grasp and a lake suddenly appeared in that exact location. This is the story of how the lake came into existence.
The rock where Buddi Nagin took a seat is presently identified as Kala Pathar.
The Pandavas, who were banished, arrived at the Serolsar Lake after reaching Jalori Pass. They decided to cultivate rice in the area surrounding the lake. Legend has it that Buddi Nagin, a mythical serpent, appeared before them and then returned to the lake.
The Pandavas retrieved the Murti of the goddess from the lake and placed it on the shore. They constructed a modest temple for her alongside the lake. Over the years, the temple has undergone various renovations. The present temple is the fourth iteration after these renovations.
At the Budhi Nagin Temple, people offer ghee to honor Budhi Nagin, who is considered the mother of all the Nag Devta in the Mandi and Kullu region. Budhi Nagin had a strong affinity for cows, hence people bring ghee as an offering when they visit her temple. According to the belief, when ghee is poured inside the temple, it is believed to directly reach the center of the lake where Budhi Nagin resides.
Individuals bring large quantities of ghee to the temple and lake. Once a year, all the Nagdevas from the area come to visit Budhi Nagin during significant events. These special occasions are determined and foreseen by the local priests.
The temple cannot be accessed during the winter season because it experiences significant snowfall.
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There is a lack of knowledge regarding the exact depth of Serolsar Lake, making it a mysterious aspect of the lake.
Here is another intriguing story filled with mystery. One day, a Brahmin and his family were taking a leisurely walk near a lake when he accidentally fell into the water. Despite their efforts, his family was unable to save him from drowning. However, after a span of three years, the Brahmin miraculously returned from the lake. It turns out that he had made a promise to Budhi Nagin, a mystical serpent-like creature, not to reveal her existence to anyone.
His family persistently questioned him about his whereabouts and how he managed to survive. Eventually, Brahmin revealed the truth by explaining that when he fell into the lake, he descended to the lake's bottom, where he was rescued by Buddi Nagin. Buddi Nagin resides in a splendid golden palace in that location. Brahmin also mentioned that he witnessed numerous milk containers while observing Buddi Nagin's activity of churning curd.
After he revealed the truth, he met his demise. The local residents gathered at the lake and witnessed peculiar occurrences. It was deduced that Buddi Nagin desired for the lake to remain undisturbed and maintain its cleanliness. The lake is consistently pristine as not even a solitary leaf can be discovered within its waters.
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Jalori Pass, located in the Banjar Valley of the Kullu district, is adjacent to the Suket area of Karsog. This pass serves as a connection between the Kullu and Shimla districts and was constructed by the British as a means to access Kullu.
Jalori Pass is located at an elevation of 2000 m. During winter, the pass is inaccessible due to the accumulation of heavy snowfall. Banjar Valley, situated in the Kullu district, is a unique and lesser-known tourist spot.
The Kullu district is split into three primary valleys: Tirthan, Banjar, and Sainj Valley. The Jalori Pass offers a picturesque road to Jibhi adorned with thick deodar trees.
The Anni district of Kullu, located between Jalori's pass and Shimla, is famous for its apple orchards. During the season, visitors can delight in the stunning sight of these orchards.
Are you feeling tired of living in the city? Reestablish your connection with the natural world by going on a hiking trip in the Himalayas. A stunning hike of 5 kilometers to Serolsar Lake, located in Jalori Pass, is an ideal choice for you.
Hiking in this area is a simple and straightforward activity, as it involves walking in a dense jungle filled with deodar and banyan trees. By undertaking this hike, you will be able to enjoy a complete view of the surrounding mountains from every angle, as well as witness an incredibly breathtaking sunset in the mountainous region.
Each season has its own unique characteristics and appearance. During the summer, the path is filled with vivid colors, like the vibrant hues of Moses on the tree trunks. Additionally, you may encounter some of the most uncommon types of plants and animals, such as rare herbs, medicinal plants, and untouched wilderness.
Tips for Traveling
If you're looking for affordable accommodation near Jalori Pass, there are plenty of homestays available. Additionally, you can opt for camping in the meadows of Jalori Pass. Getting to Jalori Pass is also quite convenient.
Pallavi Thakur authored this post as a contribution to the IndiTales Internship Program.
In this article, we discuss Bhuira Jams, an enterprise created by women living in the mountains. We also explore the Pandava Era temples located in the Karsog Valley of Himachal. Additionally, we highlight some of the places to visit in Tirthan Valley, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. This location is a must-visit for those who want to experience the beauty of Indian culture and tradition. After reading this blog post, the reader expresses motivation to go there and witness the incredible beauty. They thank the author and encourage them to continue publishing similar articles.
It is fascinating to learn about the customs and heritage associated with ghee.
Hello, Corinne x
I found this blog to be quite enjoyable, especially the captivating story of Budhi Nagin.
Please refrain from leaving a comment. Remember to save my name, email, and website on this browser for future reference.
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