Continents like Asia and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, offer different experiences for holistic living. One such place is Swaswara, located on Om Beach in Gokarna, where you can embrace a holistic lifestyle. If you're looking for accommodation in Shekhawati, consider staying at Piramal Haveli for a unique experience. For luxury travel in the pilgrimage city of Pushkar, the Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa is a great option. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Lucknow by staying at Clarks Awadh. Explore the Serolsar Lake and learn about the legend of 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 feel fortunate to have been born into a family that still values and respects cows as an integral part of our culture.
Whenever a new calf is born, I have observed my mother and grandmother engaging in a customary practice. Intrigued, 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 discovered that the initial milk ghee is actually gathered for Budhi Nagin, who resides in Serolsar Lake.
The story of Budhi Nagin begins in the Seraj region of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh. She was widely known as Buddi Nagin and was believed to possess some of the divine powers of Durga Maa, a form of the goddess Nava Durga. Budhi Nagin's marriage took place in the Suket region, which is now known as Karsog district in Himachal Pradesh.
Buddhi Nagin decided to visit the local water territory of the Satluj River. Before leaving, she told her mother not to disturb her sleeping children who were tucked away in a basket of husks in the kitchen. In the past, it was common for people to use husk baskets as a makeshift crib for their babies 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 advice given by Budhi Nagin, the mother decided to remove the blanket. Much to her surprise, she discovered 5-6 snakes hiding inside. Overwhelmed with fear, she hastily grabbed some ash from the kitchen and threw it at the snakes. Startled by this sudden attack, the snakes quickly scattered in various directions. It is believed that they were never seen again 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 sculpture that is worshipped in the very house where Buddha Nagin resided.
The house is in such a state that it cannot be reconstructed or refurbished. Budhi Nagin decided to leave the house and made his way to Serolsar Lake, located near Jalori Pass in the Banjar Valley of the Kullu District in Himachal Pradesh.
The people in the region believe that Buddhi Nagin is the mother of Nagdev, who is considered to be the god of snakes. They also believe that the Nagas, or snakes, are closely associated with Shiva. Each Naga has its own designated area and village, which are named after them, such as Chowasi Nag, Hungru Nag, and Jhakad Nag.
In the villages mentioned, there are numerous stunning temples built in the traditional style of Himachali architecture. These temples showcase exquisite wooden carvings. Annually, Nag Devtas, priests, and villagers gather together and travel throughout their region. During this time, people make donations in various forms to the Nagas. Additionally, they partake in the local Himachali dances known as Nati.
The beautiful lake is situated amidst enchanting fields. Visitors can witness the breathtaking sunset and marvel at the panoramic view of the surrounding mountains from every angle.
According to the legend, there was a place called Serolsar Lake where a mythical figure named Buddhi Nagin arrived and settled on a large rock. In that area, there were 60 young girls known as Joginis or Yoginis. Some of them were heading towards Shikari Devi in Mandi, while others were going to Jalori Jot. While passing by Serolsar Lake, these joginis noticed Buddhi Nagin sitting there. They approached her and proposed playing a game together.
Due to her age, they believed that defeating her would be a simple task. A decision was made that if Budhi Nagin emerged victorious in the game, she would consider this location her sacred place. Conversely, if the Joginis triumphed, she would vacate the premises.
During the game, a girl cheated, which angered Buddi Nagin. As a punishment, she cast 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 emerging victorious in the game, Buddi Nagin made the decision to make this place her permanent home. As she ventured through Serolsar, she accidentally dropped a small pot she was carrying, resulting in the creation of a lake at that very spot. And so, the lake was formed.
The rock where Buddi Nagin was seated is currently referred to as Kala Pathar.
The Pandavas, who were in exile, arrived at Serolsar Lake after crossing Jalori Pass. They decided to cultivate rice in the area surrounding the lake. According to the story, a mythical creature known as Buddi Nagin appeared in front of them and then returned to the lake.
The Pandavas removed the Murti of Goddess from the lake and placed it on the shore. They constructed a small temple for her near the lake. Over the years, the temple has undergone several renovations. The present temple is the fourth one that has been reconstructed.
People visiting the Budhi Nagin Temple in Mandi and Kullu region bring ghee as an offering. Budhi Nagin, who is considered the mother of all Nag Devtas in the area, had a strong affection for cows. It is believed that when ghee is poured inside the temple, it reaches the center of the lake where Budhi Nagin is believed to reside.
Individuals carry numerous kilograms of clarified butter to the temple and lake. Every year, the Nagdevas from the area come to visit Budhi Nagin on specific occasions. These special occasions are foretold by priests who are from the local community.
The temple is not open during the winter because it experiences a significant amount of snowfall.
Discover the top 10 books about the Himalayas by reading further.
There is a mysterious and unknown depth to Serolsar Lake that remains a secret to all.
Here is another intriguing story filled with mystery. One day, a Brahmin and his family were taking a leisurely walk near a lake. Unfortunately, the Brahmin accidentally fell into the water, and despite his family's attempts to rescue him, they were unsuccessful. Surprisingly, after three long years, the Brahmin returned from the lake. It turns out that during his time underwater, he had made a promise to Budhi Nagin, who requested that he keep their encounter a secret.
His family persistently questioned him, inquiring about his whereabouts and how he managed to survive. Eventually, the Brahmin revealed the truth. He explained that when he fell into the lake, he descended to the lake's depths where he was rescued by Buddi Nagin. According to him, Buddi Nagin resides in a magnificent golden palace in that underwater realm. He also mentioned witnessing numerous containers of milk while he was there, as Buddi Nagin apparently engaged in the process of churning curd.
After he revealed the truth, he passed away. The locals gathered at the lake and witnessed strange occurrences. It was deduced that Buddi Nagin desired the lake to remain undisturbed and free from pollution. In reality, the lake is consistently clean, devoid of even a single leaf.
Explore the exquisite beauty of India's most stunning lakes by reading more about them
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 Kullu and Shimla districts, which was constructed by the British in order to have entry into Kullu.
Jalori Pass is situated at an elevation of 2000 meters. During the winter season, the pass is inaccessible as it experiences significant snowfall. Banjar Valley, located 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 scenic route to Jibhi, lined with thick deodar trees.
The Anni district of Kullu can be found towards Shimla, starting from Jalori's pass. Anni is famous for its apple orchards, and during the appropriate season, visitors can delight in the stunning sight of these orchards.
Tired of the hustle and bustle of city living? Take a break and immerse yourself in the wonders of nature with a hike in the majestic Himalayas. The hike to Serolsar Lake, spanning a distance of 5 km and located in Jalori Pass, offers a breathtaking experience for those seeking tranquility and natural beauty.
Hiking in this area is a straightforward and enjoyable experience, as you simply walk in a straight line through a dense forest filled with deodar and banyan trees. As a result, you are treated to a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, along with the most awe-inspiring sunset found in this mountainous region.
Each season takes a unique course; summer's path stands out with the vivid colors of moss coating the tree trunks. Furthermore, one can witness a variety of uncommon plant and animal species, such as rare herbs, medicinal plants, and untamed wilderness.
Tips for Traveling
A great option for accommodations near Jalori Pass is to stay at one of the affordable homestays available. Additionally, if you prefer a more adventurous experience, there are camping facilities available in the beautiful meadows of Jalori Pass. Accessing Jalori Pass is also quite convenient.
Pallavi Thakur has authored this post as a component of the IndiTales Internship Program.
Other articles by the same author include Bhuira Jams, a business run by women from the mountains, and the temples from the Pandava Era in the Karsog Valley of Himachal. They also provide information on places to visit in Tirthan Valley, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. A reader commented that after reading the blog, they were inspired to visit this place and experience the beauty of Indian culture and tradition. They thanked the author for publishing articles like these.
It's fascinating to learn about the customs and heritage associated with ghee!
Corinne, a specific individual
I found this blog to be quite enjoyable, particularly the intriguing tale of Budhi Nagin.
Please refrain from commenting. I would like to save my name, email, and website information for future use in this browser.
Using the document object, find the element with the ID "ak_js_1" and set its attribute "value" to the current time as obtained from the new Date() object.
Get updates by subscribing to our newsletter. Read about the 10th century in Ancient Kashmir with Ashish Kaul. Experience holistic living at Swaswara, located on Om Beach in Gokarna. Explore Purkhauti Muktangan, a tribute to our ancestors. Enjoy your stay at the Grand Dragon Hotel in Ladakh. Discover Silvassa, the garden city and capital of Dadra & Nagar Haveli. Check out our other blogs for more interesting content.
