Continents such as Asia, Europe, and the Rest of the World offer various experiences and opportunities. One such experience is the holistic living at Swaswara, located on Om Beach in Gokarna. If you're looking for accommodation in Shekhawati, Piramal Haveli is a great option to consider. For a luxurious travel experience in the pilgrim's city, Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa is the place to be. Embrace the lifestyle of Lucknow with a stay at Clarks Awadh. Explore the Serolsar Lake and learn about the legend of Budhi Nagin. In Indian culture, the first ghee made from a cow's milk after giving birth to a calf is considered sacred and is saved for worship. Fortunately, I come from a family where cows are still an integral part of our culture.
Whenever a new calf is born, I have observed my mother and grandmother partake in a customary practice. Intrigued by the tradition of collecting ghee in a jar and prohibiting anyone from consuming it, I approached my grandmother to seek an explanation. It was then that I discovered the purpose behind gathering the initial milk ghee, which is to offer it to Budhi Nagin in Serolsar Lake.
The story of Budhi Nagin begins in the Seraj region of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh. She was given special abilities by Durga Maa, a form of Nava Durga. Budhi Nagin later married in the Suket region, which is now called Karsog district in Himachal Pradesh.
Buddhi Nagin went to the local water area 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. In the past, it was common for people to keep their babies in husk baskets instead of using baby prams.
Her mother became concerned when the children continued to sleep for an extended period of time without waking up. Despite disregarding the warnings from Budhi Nagin, her mother decided to pick up the blanket. To her surprise, there were 5-6 snakes hidden within it, causing her to feel frightened. In a state of panic, she quickly grabbed some ash from the kitchen and threw it on the snakes. The snakes scattered in various directions and it is believed that they were eventually forgotten about.
Upon Buddha Nagin's return, she was deeply saddened to discover that her children were no longer with her. Overwhelmed with grief, she made the decision to depart from the village. In the village of Karsog, there is a house where Buddha Nagin once resided, and within it, a small stone statue is still revered and worshipped.
It is not possible to reconstruct or remodel 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.
In the region, there is a belief that Buddhi Nagin is the mother of Nagdev, who is considered to be the deity of snakes. The local people associate Nagas with Shiva. Each Naga is associated with a specific area and village that bears their name, such as Chowasi Nag, Hungru Nag, and Jhakad Nag.
Within these rural communities, numerous stunning temples are built using traditional Himachali architectural styles. These temples are adorned with intricate wooden carvings, showcasing the craftsmanship of the region. Annually, the Nag Devtas (snake deities), priests, and local inhabitants come together and embark on a procession throughout their surroundings. During this time, people offer donations to the Nagas in various forms, expressing their reverence. Additionally, the community partakes in traditional Himachali dances known
Situated amidst captivating fields, the lake offers a mesmerizing sight. Visitors can witness the most breathtaking sunset and appreciate the panoramic view of the surrounding mountains in every direction.
According to the tale, a being named Buddhi Nagin arrived at Serolsar Lake and settled down on a large rock. In the vicinity, there were 60 young girls known as Joginis or Yoginis, who belonged to a group called the Paudi of Inderdev. Some of them were on their way to Shikari Devi in Mandi, while others were heading towards Jalori Jot. Upon spotting Buddhi Nagin sitting by Serolsar Lake, the Joginis approached her and suggested playing a game together.
The assumption was made that since she was elderly, defeating her would be effortless. A decision was reached that if Budhi Nagin emerged victorious in the game, she would consider this location sacred. Conversely, if the Joginis were to win, she would depart from this place.
During the game, a girl engaged in cheating, which greatly infuriated Buddi Nagin. As a consequence, she placed 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. As a result of this curse, the bird came to be known as Abhi Chidiya.
Buddi Nagin emerged victorious in the game and made the decision to make this place her permanent residence. During her journey, she was holding a small pot. Unfortunately, while exploring Serolsar, she accidentally dropped the pot, resulting in the creation of a lake at that very location. And thus, the lake came into existence.
The rock where Buddi Nagin was seated is currently referred to as Kala Pathar.
Pandava Tale
While in banishment, once the Pandavas arrived at Jalori Pass, they stumbled upon Serolsar Lake. They decided to cultivate rice in the vicinity of the lake. According to the legend, Buddi Nagin appeared before them and then returned to the lake.
The Pandavas retrieved the statue of her from the lake and placed it on the shore. They constructed a small shrine for her near the lake. Over the years, the temple has undergone multiple renovations. The present temple is the fourth one that has been renovated.
At the Budhi Nagin Temple, visitors have the tradition of offering ghee to Budhi Nagin, who is considered the mother of all the Nag Devtas in the Mandi and Kullu region. Budhi Nagin had a great love for cows, so devotees bring ghee as a way to honor her. 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 quantities of ghee to both the temple and the lake. Once a year, the Nagdevas from the surrounding area come to visit Budhi Nagin on specific events. These special events are foretold by the local priests.
The temple cannot be accessed during the winter because it experiences a significant amount of snowfall.
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There is a lack of knowledge regarding the depth of Serolsar Lake.
Here's another intriguing tale filled with mystery. One day, a Brahmin and his family were leisurely walking near a lake when he accidentally fell into the water. Despite their efforts, his family was unable to rescue him. Surprisingly, after a span of three years, the Brahmin reappeared, claiming to have returned from the lake. He had made a promise to Budhi Nagin to keep their encounter a secret and not share it with anyone.
His family persistently inquired 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 its depths where he was rescued by a serpent named Buddi Nagin. According to him, she resides in a magnificent golden palace in the lake. He also mentioned witnessing numerous containers of milk while he was there, which the serpent used to churn curd.
Once he revealed the truth, he met his demise. The residents of the village gathered at the lake, encountering unexplained occurrences. It was deduced that Buddi Nagin desired for the lake to remain undisturbed and maintained in a pristine condition. The lake is consistently immaculate, devoid of even a solitary leaf within its waters.
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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. This pass serves as a connection between the Kullu and Shimla districts and was constructed by the British as a means to enter Kullu.
The Jalori Pass is situated at an elevation of 2000 meters. During the winter season, the pass is inaccessible as it gets blocked by a significant amount of snowfall. The 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 journey to Jibhi through Jalori Pass offers a picturesque route lined with thick deodar trees.
The Anni district of Kullu, located between Jalori's pass and Shimla, is famous for its apple orchards. Visitors can appreciate the stunning sight of apple orchards during the season.
Are you feeling tired of the urban lifestyle? Reestablish your connection with the natural world by embarking on a hike in the Himalayas. A breathtaking 5 km trek to the serene Serolsar Lake located at Jalori Pass is an ideal adventure for you.
Hiking through the dense jungle of deodar and banyan trees is a simple and straightforward experience. As you walk, you'll be surrounded by lush vegetation and towering trees. The hike offers a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the majestic mountains, allowing you to appreciate their beauty from every angle. Additionally, the mountains provide the most
The path of each season varies, and during the summer, it is filled with vivid colors as Moses plants bloom on the tree trunks. Additionally, you can encounter some of the most uncommon types 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 numerous homestays available. Additionally, camping facilities are provided in the meadows of Jalori Pass. Accessing Jalori Pass is also quite convenient.
Pallavi Thakur has written this post as a component of the IndiTales Internship Program.
This blog post discusses the enterprise called Bhuira Jams, which is run by women from the mountains. It also mentions the Pandava Era temples located in the Karsog Valley of Himachal. Additionally, it suggests some places to visit in the Tirthan Valley of Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. The post has received three comments, with one reader expressing their motivation to visit the mentioned places after reading the blog. The reader also appreciates the publication of such articles.
It is fascinating to learn about the customs and heritage surrounding ghee.
Corinne, a person named
I found this blog to be quite enjoyable, particularly the tale of Budhi Nagin.
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