Continents like Asia and Europe are well-known regions around the world. However, there are other parts of the world that are not as commonly recognized. One such place is Swaswara, located on Om Beach in Gokarna, which offers a holistic living experience. If you are planning to visit Shekhawati, consider staying at Piramal Haveli for a unique and enjoyable stay. Another luxurious option for travelers is the Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa, perfect for those visiting the pilgrim's city. For a taste of the Lucknow lifestyle, Clarks Awadh is a great choice. Additionally, there is the beautiful Serolsar Lake, which is associated with the legend of Budhi Nagin. In Indian families, the first ghee produced from a cow's milk after giving birth to a calf is considered sacred and saved for worship. Being born into a family where cows hold cultural significance, I feel blessed.
Whenever a new calf is born, I have observed my mother and grandmother engaging in a customary practice. Intrigued by this, I approached my grandmother to inquire about the reason behind collecting ghee in a jar and prohibiting anyone from consuming it. It was during this conversation that I learned that the initial milk ghee is specifically collected for Budhi Nagin in Serolsar Lake.
The story of Budhi Nagin begins in the Seraj region of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh. She was commonly known as Buddi Nagin and was believed to possess some of the powers of Durga Maa, a form of Nava Durga. Buddi Nagin eventually got married in the Suket region, which is now recognized as Karsog district in Himachal Pradesh.
Buddhi Nagin once went to the nearby water area of the Satluj River. She told her mother not to wake her children while she was away. Her children were sleeping in a basket made of husks that was kept in the kitchen. In the past, people used to use husk baskets to hold their children before baby strollers became popular.
Her mother became concerned when the children slept for an extended period without waking up. Despite Budhi Nagin's advice, her mother decided to remove the blanket. To her surprise, she discovered 5-6 snakes inside it. Startled, she quickly grabbed some ash from the kitchen and threw it at the snakes. The snakes scattered in various directions and were subsequently forgotten.
Upon Buddha Nagin's return, she was filled with sadness upon discovering that her children were no longer there. Overwhelmed by her emotions, she decided to leave the village behind. In the Bhiuri village of Karsog, there is a house where Buddha Nagin resided, and inside it, a small stone Murti continues to be revered and worshipped.
It is impossible to restore or renovate this modest dwelling. Budhi Nagin departed from the house and arrived at Serolsar Lake, located near Jalori Pass in Banjar Valley of Kullu District in the state of Himachal Pradesh.
The people in the region believe that Buddhi Nagin is the mother of the snake god, Nagdev. They also associate the Nagas with Shiva. Each Naga has their own designated area and village, which are named after them, such as Chowasi Nag, Hungru Nag, and Jhakad Nag.
In the villages, there are numerous temples built in the traditional Himachali style, featuring exquisite wooden carvings. Annually, the Nag Devtas, priests, and villagers gather to tour their region. The locals offer donations to the Nagas in various forms. Additionally, they showcase their cultural heritage by performing traditional Himachali dances known as Nati.
The mesmerizing meadows surround a lake situated in the center. Here, one can witness the most breathtaking sunset and appreciate a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains in every direction.
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 Joginis known as the Paudi of Inderdev. Joginis, also referred to as Yoginis, are young girls. Some of them were traveling to Shikari Devi in Mandi, while others were headed to Jalori Jot. As they noticed Buddhi Nagin sitting by Serolsar Lake, the Joginis approached her and proposed, "Why don't we play a game together?"
They believed that it would be easy to defeat her due to her old age. A decision was made that if Budhi Nagin emerged victorious in the game, she would regard this place as her sacred location. Conversely, if the Joginis were to win, she would vacate this place.
During their game, one of the girls engaged in cheating, causing Buddi Nagin to feel a strong sense of anger. As a consequence, she cast a curse upon the girl, transforming her into a permanent small bird. Additionally, Buddi Nagin assigned the bird the responsibility of cleaning a small water body. This particular bird came to be known as Abhi Chidiya.
After emerging victorious in the game, Buddi Nagin made the decision to permanently reside in this location. She had brought along a small pot with her from her home. While exploring Serolsar, the pot accidentally slipped from her grasp, resulting in the sudden appearance of a lake at that very spot. And so, this is the story of how the lake came into existence.
The rock where Buddi Nagin was seated is currently referred to as Kala Pathar.
The Pandavas, while in exile, arrived at Jalori Pass and eventually reached Serolsar Lake. They decided to cultivate rice near the lake. According to legend, the mythical creature known as Buddi Nagin 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 small temple for her by the lake. Over time, the temple has undergone several renovations. The present temple is the fourth one following the renovations.
At the Budhi Nagin Temple, it is customary for visitors to bring ghee as an offering. Budhi Nagin is considered the mother of all the snake deities in the Mandi and Kullu regions, and she had a special affection for cows. It is believed that when ghee is poured inside the temple, it symbolically reaches the center of the lake where Budhi Nagin is believed to reside.
Individuals bring large amounts of clarified butter called ghee to both the temple and the lake. Every year, on specific special events, the Nagdevas from the area come to visit Budhi Nagin. These special occasions are determined and foreseen by the local priests.
During the winter season, the temple is not open to the public because it experiences significant amounts of
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There is a lack of knowledge regarding the exact depth of Serolsar Lake, making it a mystical aspect of the lake.
Here is another story filled with mystery. One day, a Brahmin and his family were walking around a lake when he accidentally fell into the water. Despite their efforts, his family was unable to save him. Surprisingly, after three years, the Brahmin returned from the lake. However, he made a promise to Budhi Nagin, a mystical serpent, that he would keep their encounter a secret and not share it with anyone.
His family persistently questioned him about his whereabouts and how he managed to survive. Eventually, the Brahmin revealed the truth. He explained that after falling into the lake, he descended to its depths where he was rescued by Buddi Nagin. According to him, she resides in a magnificent golden palace beneath the lake and is known for churning curd. He also mentioned witnessing numerous containers of milk in her abode.
After uttering the truth, he passed away. The locals gathered at the lake and witnessed strange occurrences. It was deduced that Buddi Nagin desired for the lake to remain undisturbed and maintained in a pristine condition. True enough, the lake was always immaculate, devoid of any leaves.
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Jalori Pass is located in the Banjar Valley of the Kullu district and is adjacent to the Suket area of Karsog. It is a pass that connects the districts of Kullu and Shimla. The British constructed this pass in order to establish a route to access Kullu.
Jalori Pass is situated at an elevation of 2000 meters. It becomes inaccessible during the winter season as it experiences significant amounts of snowfall. Banjar Valley, located in the Kullu district, is considered as one of the lesser-known tourist spots.
The Kullu district is split into three primary valleys: Tirthan, Banjar, and Sainj Valley. The journey to Jibhi through Jalori Pass is a scenic route surrounded by thick deodar trees.
The Anni district of Kullu is located towards Shimla, starting from Jalori's pass. Anni is famous for its apple orchards, and visitors can enjoy a stunning sight of these orchards during the season.
Are you feeling tired of living in the city? Take a break and immerse yourself in nature with a hike in the Himalayas. A stunning 5 km hike to Serolsar Lake in Jalori Pass is an ideal choice for you.
Hiking through a thick forest filled with deodar and banyan trees is a straightforward and enjoyable experience. The hike offers a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of mountains and the most stunning sunset in the entire mountain range.
Each season follows a unique course; summer's course is bursting with vibrant colors found on the bark of Moses trees. Furthermore, one can observe some of the most uncommon varieties 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 can also opt for camping in the beautiful meadows of Jalori Pass. Accessing Jalori Pass is convenient and hassle-free.
Pallavi Thakur wrote this post as a contribution to the IndiTales Internship Program.
Other articles on this website are about Bhuira Jams, a business run by women from the mountains, and temples from the Pandava era in the Karsog Valley of Himachal. There are also suggestions of places to visit in Tirthan Valley, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. There have been three comments on this article. The writer expresses their desire to visit this place and witness the beauty of Indian culture and tradition after reading the blog. They thank the author and encourage them to continue publishing similar articles.
It is fascinating to learn about the customs and cultural significance associated with ghee.
Greeting from Corinne.
I found this blog to be very enjoyable, particularly the story of Budhi Nagin.
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