Continents such as Asia and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, offer diverse experiences for travelers. Swaswara, located at Om Beach in Gokarna, is a retreat that promotes holistic living. For accommodation in Shekhawati, Piramal Haveli is a recommended choice. Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa offers luxury travel options in the pilgrimage city of Pushkar. Experiencing the vibrant lifestyle of Lucknow is possible at Clarks Awadh. Serolsar Lake is known for the legend of Budhi Nagin, and in Indian families, the first ghee made from a cow's milk is considered sacred. I feel fortunate to have been born into a family that values cows as a part of our culture.
Whenever a new calf is born, I have observed my mother and grandmother perform a customary practice. Intrigued by the tradition of collecting ghee in a jar and forbidding anyone from consuming it, I approached my grandmother to seek an explanation. It was then that I discovered that the initial milk ghee was gathered specifically for Budhi Nagin in Serolsar Lake.
The story begins with a woman named Buddi Nagin, who was believed to have been bestowed with certain supernatural abilities by the goddess Durga Maa. Buddi Nagin hailed from the Seraj region in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. She eventually got married in the Suket area, which is now commonly referred to as the Karsog district in Himachal.
Buddhi Nagin decided to visit the local water territory near the Satluj River. Before leaving, she told her mother not to disturb her children who were sleeping in a husk basket in the kitchen. It was a common practice to keep children in husk baskets before baby prams became popular.
After some time, the mother became concerned because the children had been sleeping for a long period without waking up. Disregarding the advice given by Budhi Nagin, the mother decided to lift the blanket. To her surprise, she discovered 5-6 snakes hidden underneath. 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 believed that they were not seen again after this incident.
Upon Buddha Nagin's return, she was filled with sadness upon discovering that her children had left. Overwhelmed by her emotions, she decided to depart from the village. In the Bhiuri village of Karsog, a small stone idol, known as a Murti, continues to be revered in the very house where Buddha Nagin once resided.
It is impossible to reconstruct or refurbish 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 in Himachal Pradesh.
Naga Worship
According to local beliefs, Buddhi Nagin is considered the mother of Nagdev, the deity of snakes. People in the area associate Nagas 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.
These villages have numerous exquisite temples built in the architectural style of Himachal Pradesh. These temples feature intricate wooden carvings that add to their beauty. Annually, Nag Devtas, priests, and villagers gather to roam around their region. People make donations in various forms to the Nagas as a gesture of offering. Additionally, they showcase the traditional Himachali dance known as Nati during these gatherings.
The beautiful lake is situated amidst captivating fields. Visitors can witness the breathtaking sunset and marvel at the panoramic view of the surrounding mountains from every angle.
According to the legend, a snake named Buddhi Nagin arrived at Serolsar Lake and perched 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 towards Jalori Jot. Upon spotting Buddhi Nagin at Serolsar Lake, the Joginis approached her and proposed playing a game together.
They underestimated her abilities due to her age, assuming that defeating her would be simple. A decision was made that if Budhi Nagin emerged victorious in the game, she would consider the location sacred to her. Conversely, if the Joginis were to win, she would depart from the area.
During their game, one of the girls engaged in cheating, which greatly angered Buddi Nagin. As a consequence, she placed a curse on the girl, transforming her into a permanent small bird. Additionally, Buddi Nagin assigned the bird the responsibility of cleaning a small body of water. This transformed bird is now referred to as Abhi Chidiya.
After winning the game, Buddi Nagin made the decision to stay in this place permanently. She had brought along a small pot from her home. While wandering in Serolsar, the pot accidentally slipped from her grasp, resulting in the creation of a lake right where it fell. This is the origin story of the lake.
The stone that Buddi Nagin was sitting on has been given the name Kala Pathar.
The story of the Pandavas takes place during their period of exile. After reaching Jalori Pass, they stumbled upon Serolsar Lake. In order to sustain themselves, they decided to cultivate rice in the vicinity of the lake. According to the tale, while they were engaged in their farming activities, they encountered the appearance of a mythical creature known as Buddi Nagin, who then retreated
The Pandavas retrieved the statue of her from the lake and placed it on land, constructing a small temple for her on the lake's edge. Over the years, the temple has undergone several renovations, with the current temple being the fourth one after the initial construction.
At the Budhi Nagin Temple, people have a tradition of offering 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 deep affection for cows, which is why visitors bring ghee as an offering to her. According to belief, when ghee is poured inside the temple, it is said to directly reach the center of the lake where Budhi Nagin is believed to reside.
Individuals carry numerous kilograms of clarified butter called ghee to both the temple and the lake. Once a year, on specific events, all the Nagdevas from the area come to visit Budhi Nagin. These special occasions are determined and foretold by the local priests.
During the winter season, the temple is not open to the public because it experiences significant amounts of
Discover the top 10 books about the majestic Himalayas by reading further.
There is a lack of knowledge regarding the exact depth of Serolsar Lake.
Here is another story filled with mystery. One day, a Brahmin and his family were walking around the lake when he accidentally fell into the water. Despite their efforts, his family was unable to save him. Surprisingly, after a period of three years, the Brahmin returned from the lake. It was revealed that a mystical serpent named Budhi Nagin had saved him, but she made him swear not to disclose this secret to anyone.
His family persistently inquired about his whereabouts and how he managed to be rescued. Eventually, Brahmin confessed the truth. He revealed that after falling into the lake, he descended to the lake's bottom where he was saved by Buddi Nagin. According to him, she resides in a magnificent golden palace beneath the lake. He witnessed numerous containers of milk as she was in the process of churning curd.
Once he revealed the truth, he perished. The locals flocked to the lake and encountered various inexplicable occurrences. It was deduced that Buddi Nagin desired for the lake to remain undisturbed and maintained in a pristine condition. In fact, the lake is perpetually immaculate, devoid of even a solitary leaf.
Discover the enchanting beauty of India's stunning lakes by reading about the
Jalori Pass is located in the Banjar Valley of the Kullu district, adjacent to the Suket area of Karsog. It is a mountain pass that serves as a connection between the Kullu and Shimla districts. The British constructed this pass in order to have a way to reach Kullu.
Jalori Pass is situated at an elevation of 2000 m. During winter, the pass is inaccessible as it gets shut down due to the significant amount of snowfall it experiences. Banjar Valley, located in the Kullu district, is recognized as a unique and less explored tourist spot.
The Kullu district is split into three primary valleys, namely Tirthan, Banjar, and Sainj Valley. The Jalori Pass serves as a scenic route to Jibhi, surrounded by lush deodar trees.
The Anni district of Kullu is situated between Jalori's pass and Shimla. It is famous for its apple orchards, and visitors can admire the stunning scenery of these orchards during the season.
Do you find city life monotonous? Reestablish your connection with nature by embarking on a hike in the Himalayas. A picturesque 5 km trail leading to Serolsar Lake at Jalori Pass is an ideal choice for you.
Hiking through a dense jungle of deodar and banyan trees is a simple and straightforward experience. The hike offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, as well as the opportunity to witness a truly stunning sunset in the mountainous region.
Each season follows a unique trajectory, and during summer, nature bursts with vivid hues as if Moses himself painted the tree trunks. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to encounter some of the most elusive varieties of plants and animals, such as uncommon herbs, healing 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 also find camping facilities in the picturesque 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.
Discover the captivating story of Bhuira Jams, a business founded by women from the mountains. Explore the ancient temples from the Pandava Era in the picturesque Karsog Valley of Himachal. Immerse yourself in the natural wonders of Tirthan Valley in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. These places offer an opportunity to experience the rich beauty of Indian culture and tradition. After reading this blog, I feel inspired to visit and witness this incredible beauty for myself. Thank you for sharing such informative articles.
It is fascinating to learn about the customs and heritage associated with ghee.
Corinne, a female individual
I found this blog highly enjoyable, especially the captivating tale of Budhi Nagin.
Please refrain from commenting without saving my name, email, and website in this browser for future reference.
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