Continents like Asia, Europe, and the rest of the world have their own unique characteristics and cultures. At Swaswara, located on Om Beach in Gokarna, one can experience a holistic way of living. If you're looking for a place to stay in Shekhawati, Piramal Haveli is worth considering. For a luxurious travel experience in the pilgrim's city of Pushkar, Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa is a great option. Clarks Awadh offers a chance to experience the vibrant lifestyle of Lucknow. The Serolsar Lake holds a legendary tale of Budhi Nagin. In Indian families, the first ghee made from a cow's milk is saved for worship as it is considered auspicious. I feel fortunate to have been born into a family that still holds cows as part of our culture.
Whenever a new calf is born, I have observed my mother and grandmother engage in a ritual. Intrigued by this practice, 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 the purpose of collecting the first milk ghee, which is offered to Budhi Nagin in Serolsar Lake.
The story of Budhi Nagin begins in the Seraj region of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh. She was widely known and referred to as Buddi Nagin. According to the tale, she possessed certain abilities bestowed upon her by Durga Maa, who is a form of Nava Durga. Budhi Nagin later got married in the Suket area, which is now commonly known as Karsog district in Himachal Pradesh.
Buddhi Nagin decided to visit the nearby water area of the Satluj River. Before leaving, she asked her mother not to disturb her sleeping children who were tucked away in a basket made of husks in the kitchen. It used to be common for people to keep their infants in husk baskets before baby strollers became popular.
Her mother became concerned when the children continued to sleep for an extended period without waking up. Despite the warnings given by Budhi Nagin, the 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 on the snakes. The snakes scattered in various directions. It is believed that they were not seen again after this incident.
Upon Buddha Nagin's return, she was filled with immense sadness upon discovering that her children had disappeared. Overwhelmed by her emotions, she made the decision to depart from the village. In the Bhiuri village of Karsog, a small stone Murti, or idol, remains revered in the very house where Buddha Nagin once resided.
It is not possible to reconstruct or renovate this tiny house. Budhi Nagin departed from the house and arrived at Serolsar Lake, located near Jalori Pass in the Banjar Valley of Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh.
Naga Worship is the practice of venerating the snake god, Nagdev, who is believed to be the offspring of Buddhi Nagin. People in the area associate Nagas with Shiva and believe that each Naga has its own designated territory and village named after them, such as Chowasi Nag, Hungru Nag, and Jhakad Nag.
In these rural communities, numerous charming temples are built using the architectural style unique to the Himachal region. These temples feature exquisite wooden carvings. Annually, Nag Devtas (snake deities), priests, and local residents gather together to perform a ritual procession throughout the area. People present donations to the Nagas in various forms. Additionally, they partake in traditional Himachali dances known as Nati.
Situated amidst captivating fields, the lake offers a breathtaking setting. Visitors can delight in the awe-inspiring sunset and marvel at the panoramic display of mountains in every direction.
According to the tale, a snake named Buddhi Nagin arrived at Serolsar Lake and settled on a large stone. 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 heading towards Jalori Jot. When they noticed Buddhi Nagin sitting in Serolsar Lake, they approached her and suggested playing a game together.
Due to her age, they believed it would be simple to overpower her. The decision was made that if Budhi Nagin emerged victorious in the game, she would consider this location sacred, but if the Joginis prevailed, she would vacate the premises.
During the game, a girl resorted to cheating, which greatly angered Buddi Nagin. As a consequence, Buddi Nagin placed a curse upon her, transforming her into a permanent small bird and assigning her the duty of cleaning a small body of water. This bird is now referred to as Abhi Chidiya.
After winning the game, Buddi Nagin made the decision to make this place her permanent home. As she was carrying a small pot, she accidentally dropped it while exploring Serolsar, causing a lake to form in that very spot.
The rock where Buddi Nagin was seated is currently referred to as Kala Pathar.
Pandava Tale
While in exile, the Pandavas arrived at Jalori Pass and eventually reached Serolsar Lake. They decided to cultivate rice near the lake. According to the story, a mystical creature known as Buddi Nagin appeared before them and then returned to the lake.
The Pandavas removed the Murti of the 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 various renovations. The present temple is the fourth one to be built after the renovations.
At the Budhi Nagin Temple, it is a common practice for people to offer ghee as a gesture of respect. Budhi Nagin, who is regarded as the supreme deity of the Nag Devta in the Mandi and Kullu regions, had a deep love for cows. Hence, visitors to her temple bring ghee as an offering. According to beliefs, when ghee is poured inside the temple, it is believed to reach the heart of the lake, which is the dwelling place of Budhi Nagin.
Individuals carry large quantities of clarified butter (known as ghee) to both the temple and the lake. Once a year, the Nagdevas (snake deities) from the surrounding area come to visit Budhi Nagin, a revered snake goddess. These visits occur on specific occasions that are fore
The temple cannot be accessed during the winter because there is a significant amount of snowfall.
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There is a lack of knowledge regarding the exact depth of Serolsar Lake, contributing to its mystique.
Here is another intriguing tale. A Brahmin and his family were out for a walk near a lake when he accidentally fell in. Despite their attempts, his family was unable to rescue him. Surprisingly, after a span of 3 years, the Brahmin returned from the depths of the lake. This was due to a promise he made to Budhi Nagin, a mysterious entity, not to disclose her existence to anyone.
His relatives persistently inquired, "Where did you disappear to?" and "How did you manage to survive?" Eventually, Brahmin confessed the truth. He revealed that when he accidentally fell into the lake, he descended to its depths and was rescued by a mystical serpent named Buddi Nagin. Buddi Nagin resides in a magnificent golden palace beneath the lake. Brahmin also witnessed numerous containers of milk while he was there, as Buddi Nagin was engaged in the process of churning curd.
Once he revealed the truth, he met his demise. The residents of the village arrived at the lake and witnessed strange occurrences taking place. It was deduced that Buddi Nagin desired for the lake to remain undisturbed and maintained in a pristine condition. True to that, the lake is consistently spotless, devoid of even a solitary leaf.
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Jalori Pass is located in the Banjar Valley of the Kullu district, neighboring 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 establish a route to Kullu.
Jalori Pass, situated at an elevation of 2000 m, becomes inaccessible during the winter season as it gets covered in thick snowfall. Banjar Valley, located in the Kullu district, is a less explored and unique tourist spot.
The Kullu district is separated into three primary valleys, namely Tirthan, Banjar, and Sainj Valley. The journey to Jibhi through Jalori Pass is a scenic route adorned with thick deodar trees.
The Anni district of Kullu, located between Jalori's pass and Shimla, is famous for its apple orchards. Visitors can enjoy the stunning sight of these orchards during the apple season.
Do you find city life monotonous? Reestablish your connection with nature by embarking on a hike in the majestic Himalayas. A delightful 5 km trek to the serene Serolsar Lake, located in Jalori Pass, is an ideal choice for you.
Hiking in this area is a straightforward and uncomplicated activity as you simply walk in a straight line through a thick forest filled with deodar and banyan trees. The hike offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding mountains from every angle, and it boasts the most stunning sunset in the mountainous region.
Each season has its own unique characteristics. In the summer, the path is filled with vibrant colors, such as the bright hues of moss growing on tree trunks. This season also offers the opportunity to encounter some of the rarest types of plants and animals, including unusual herbs, medicinal plants, and untouched natural landscapes.
Tips for Traveling
If you're looking for affordable accommodations near Jalori Pass, there are plenty of homestays available. Additionally, you can also enjoy camping in the beautiful meadows of Jalori Pass. Accessing Jalori Pass is quite convenient.
Pallavi Thakur wrote this post as a component of the IndiTales Internship Program.
This blog discusses Bhuira Jams, an enterprise run by women from the mountains. It also mentions the temples from the Pandava Era in the Karsog Valley of Himachal. Additionally, it suggests visiting the Tirthan Valley in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. The reader comments on how this place is a must-visit for those interested in experiencing the beauty of Indian culture and tradition. They express their motivation to visit after reading the blog and thank the author for publishing these types of articles.
It's fascinating to learn about the customs and heritage associated with ghee!
Corinne, a person's
I found this blog to be quite enjoyable, particularly the tale of Budhi Nagin.
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