Continents like Asia and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, are all places where different cultures and lifestyles can be found. At Om Beach in Gokarna, a holistic living experience can be enjoyed at Swaswara. For a stay in Shekhawati, Piramal Haveli is a recommended option. Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa offers luxurious travel in the city of pilgrims, Pushkar. Clarks Awadh provides a chance to experience the vibrant life of Lucknow. Serolsar Lake holds the legend of Budhi Nagin, adding to its mystical charm. In Indian families, the first ghee made from a cow's milk after it gives birth is saved for worship, as it is considered auspicious. Growing up in a family that values cows as part of its culture, I feel blessed.
I have observed my mother and grandmother perform a certain tradition whenever a new calf is born. It made me wonder why we gather ghee in a jar and why no one is permitted to consume from that specific jar. To find the answer, I approached my grandmother. It was then that she revealed to me that the initial milk ghee is 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 referred to as Buddi Nagin and possessed certain powers bestowed upon her by Durga Maa, who is a manifestation of Nava Durga. Budhi Nagin eventually got married in the Suket area, which is now recognized as the Karsog district in Himachal Pradesh.
Buddhi Nagin decided to visit the nearby water territory of the Satluj River. Before leaving, she told her mother not to disturb her children while she was gone. Her children were peacefully sleeping in a basket made of husks, which was a traditional practice before baby prams became popular.
After some time, the mother became concerned because the children had been sleeping for a long time without waking up. Ignoring the advice given by Budhi Nagin, the mother decided to pick up the blanket. To her surprise, she discovered 5-6 snakes inside it. Terrified, she quickly grabbed some ash from the kitchen and threw it at the snakes. The snakes scattered in various directions and it is believed that they were forgotten about after this incident.
Upon Buddha Nagin's return, she was devastated to find that her children were no longer there. Overwhelmed with sadness, she made the decision to leave the village. Today, a small stone idol continues to be revered in the house where Buddha Nagin resided in the village of Bhiuri in Karsog.
The house, which is in a state beyond repair or refurbishment, cannot be reconstructed. Budhi Nagin departed from the house and arrived at Serolsar Lake, which is located near Jalori Pass in Banjar Valley, Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh.
Naga Worship
According to local beliefs, Buddhi Nagin is considered the mother of Nagdev, who is worshipped as the snake god. The people in the region associate Nagas with Shiva, and each Naga is believed to have their own designated area and village named after them, such as Chowasi Nag, Hungru Nag, and Jhakad Nag.
These villages are home to numerous stunning temples that showcase the unique architecture of Himachal Pradesh. These temples are adorned with exquisite wooden carvings. Annually, the Nag Devtas (snake deities), priests, and villagers gather and tour their region. People make donations in various ways to show their reverence to the Nagas. Additionally, they partake in traditional Himachali dances known as Nati.
The mesmerizing meadows surround the lake, which is situated in the center. Visitors can witness breathtaking sunsets and appreciate the panoramic view of the mountains in every direction.
According to the tale, a snake named Buddhi Nagin arrived at this location and settled on a large rock. Surrounding the area were 60 young girls known as Joginis or Yoginis. Some of them were heading towards Shikari Devi in Mandi, while others were making their way to Jalori Jot. Upon noticing Buddhi Nagin sitting in Serolsar Lake, the Joginis decided to approach her and suggested playing a game together.
The assumption was made that defeating her would be easy due to her age. A decision was reached that if Budhi Nagin emerged as the victor in the game, she would claim this location as her sacred place. Conversely, if the Joginis were to win, she would vacate the area.
During the game, one of the girls engaged in cheating, which greatly angered Buddi Nagin. As a consequence, she placed a curse upon the girl, transforming her into a permanent small bird and assigning her the duty of cleaning a small water body. This transformed bird is now referred to as Abhi Chidiya.
After winning the game, Buddi Nagin made the decision to make this place her permanent home. She brought along a small pot with her when she left her house. While wandering in Serolsar, the pot accidentally slipped from her grasp, resulting in a lake being created right at that very spot. And that is how the lake came into existence.
The rock where Buddi Nagin was seated is currently referred to as Kala Pathar.
Pandava Tale
Following their banishment, the Pandavas arrived at Jalori Pass and eventually made their way to Serolsar Lake. They began cultivating rice in the vicinity of the lake. According to legend, a mythical creature known as Buddi Nagin appeared before them and then returned to the depths of the lake.
The Pandavas removed the statue of her from the lake and placed it outside, constructing a small temple for her on the lake's shores. Over the years, the temple has undergone several renovations. The present temple is the fourth one built after the renovations were made.
Visitors to the Budhi Nagin Temple bring ghee as an offering for Budhi Nagin, who is considered the mother deity of all the Nag Devta in the Mandi and Kullu areas. Budhi Nagin had a great affection for cows, which is why people choose to offer ghee specifically. The belief is that when ghee is poured inside the temple, it travels directly to the center of the lake where Budhi Nagin is believed to reside.
Individuals carry numerous kilos of clarified butter (ghee) to both the temple and the lake. Once a year, all the Nagdevas (snake deities) in the area come to visit Budhi Nagin during significant events. These special occasions are anticipated and determined by the local priests.
During the winter season, the temple is not open to the public 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 mystical and mysterious feature.
Here is another story filled with secrets and mysteries. A Brahmin, accompanied by his family, was walking by a lake when he accidentally fell into it. Despite their efforts, his family was unable to save him. Surprisingly, after a span of three years, the Brahmin returned from the lake. It was revealed that he had made a promise to Budhi Nagin, a mystical serpent-like creature, not to disclose her existence to anyone.
His family persistently inquired about his whereabouts and how he managed to survive. Eventually, Brahmin admitted the truth. He revealed that when he fell into the lake, he descended to its depths and was rescued by Buddi Nagin. Buddi Nagin resides in a magnificent palace made of gold beneath the lake. He witnessed numerous containers of milk while he was there, as Buddi Nagin engaged in the act of churning curd.
After he revealed the truth, he met his demise. The residents of the village gathered near the lake and witnessed various strange occurrences. It was deduced that Buddi Nagin desired for the lake to remain undisturbed and maintained in a pristine state. True to this notion, the lake always remains clean, devoid of even a single leaf.
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Jalori Pass, located in the Banjar Valley of the Kullu district, is in close proximity to the Suket area of Karsog. This pass serves as a connection between the Kullu and Shimla districts, and it was constructed by the British with the purpose of accessing Kullu.
Jalori Pass is situated at an elevation of 2000 m. During the winter season, the pass is shut down as it experiences significant snowfall. Banjar Valley is recognized as a unique tourist spot in the Kullu district that is not as commonly visited.
The Kullu district is split into three primary valleys: Tirthan, Banjar, and Sainj Valley. The Jalori Pass offers a scenic route to Jibhi, adorned with lush deodar trees.
The Anni district of Kullu, located towards Shimla from Jalori's pass, is famous for its apple orchards. Visitors can delight in the stunning sight of apple orchards during the harvest season.
Are you tired of the hustle and bustle of city living? Rejuvenate yourself by embarking on a hiking adventure in the majestic Himalayas. A scenic and enjoyable 5 km trek to reach the serene Serolsar Lake, located in Jalori Pass, awaits you.
Hiking in this area is a simple and straightforward experience, as you navigate through a thick forest filled with deodar and banyan trees. The hike offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and an incredibly stunning sunset that is truly unforgettable.
Each season follows a unique trajectory, and during summer, nature bursts into life with vibrant colors, like Moses on the tree trunks. This time of year also offers the opportunity to witness some of the most uncommon types of plants and animals, such as rare herbs, medicinal plants, and untamed wilderness.
Tips for Traveling
If you are looking for affordable accommodation near Jalori Pass, there are numerous homestays available. Additionally, you can also choose to camp in the beautiful meadows of Jalori Pass. Accessing Jalori Pass is convenient and hassle-free.
Pallavi Thakur authored this post as a component of the IndiTales Internship Program.
This destination is highly recommended for individuals who are interested in experiencing the beauty of Indian culture and tradition. After reading your blog, I feel inspired to visit and witness the incredible beauty for myself. Thank you for publishing these types of articles.
I find it fascinating to learn about the customs and heritage associated with ghee.
Corinne, a person or
I found this blog to be very enjoyable, particularly the story about Budhi Nagin.
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