Continents like Asia and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, have different places that offer holistic living experiences. One such place is Swaswara, located near Om Beach in Gokarna. If you're looking for accommodation in Shekhawati, Piramal Haveli is worth considering. For luxury travel in the pilgrim's city of Pushkar, Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa is a great option. Living the Lucknow life can be experienced at Clarks Awadh. Another interesting place to visit is Serolsar Lake, which is known for the legend of Budhi Nagin. In Indian families, the first ghee made from a cow's milk is saved for worship, as it is considered auspicious. Fortunately, I come from a family where cows are still a part of our culture.
I have observed my mother and grandmother perform a specific ritual whenever a new calf is born. Intrigued, I decided to inquire about the reason behind collecting ghee in a jar and forbidding anyone from consuming it. Seeking answers, I approached my grandmother who informed me that the initial milk ghee is gathered for Budhi Nagin at 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 abilities bestowed upon her by Durga Maa, a form of Nava Durga. Buddi Nagin eventually married and settled in the Suket area, which is currently recognized as the Karsog district in Himachal Pradesh.
Buddhi Nagin decided to visit the local water territory near the Satluj River. Before leaving, she told her mother not to disturb her sleeping children, who were resting in a basket made of husks in the kitchen. In the past, it was common for people to use husk baskets to keep their children, before baby prams became popular.
Her mother became concerned when the children continued to sleep for an extended period of time without waking up. Despite Budhi Nagin's warnings, her mother decided to remove the blanket. To her surprise, she discovered 5-6 snakes hidden within it. Overcome with fear, she hastily grabbed ash from the kitchen and threw it onto the snakes, causing them to scatter in various directions. It is believed that the incident was forgotten thereafter.
Upon Buddha Nagin's return, she was filled with deep sadness to discover that her children were no longer present. Overwhelmed by her emotions, she made the decision to depart from the village. In the village of Karsog, a small stone statue, known as Murti, is still revered and worshipped within the house where Buddha Nagin once resided in Bhiuri village.
It is impossible to reconstruct or remodel this petite 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.
The people in the area worship Buddhi Nagin, who is considered the mother of Nagdev, the deity of snakes. The locals believe that Nagas, or snakes, are connected to 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 these rural communities, numerous stunning temples are built using Himachali architectural style. These temples feature exquisite wooden carvings. Annually, Nag Devtas (snake deities), priests, and villagers come together to traverse their surroundings. The locals generously offer donations of various kinds to the Nagas. Additionally, they partake in traditional Himachali dances known as Nati.
Situated amidst enchanting fields, the lake offers a captivating sight. Visitors can witness a breathtaking sunset and appreciate the panoramic view of the surrounding mountains from every angle.
According to the tale, a character named Buddhi Nagin arrived at Serolsar Lake and settled down on a large stone. The area was also occupied by 60 young girls known as Joginis or Yoginis, who were divided into groups heading towards Shikari Devi in Mandi and Jalori Jot. Upon noticing Buddhi Nagin sitting in Serolsar Lake, the Joginis approached her and proposed playing a game together.
The assumption was made that due to her old age, she would be easily overcome. A decision was reached that if Budhi Nagin emerged victorious in the game, she would consider this place sacred and if the Joginis were to win, she would vacate the premises.
During the game, a girl cheated, causing Buddi Nagin to become extremely angry. As punishment, Buddi Nagin cursed the girl to transform into a permanent small bird and gave it the responsibility of cleaning a small body of water. This transformed bird is now called Abhi Chidiya.
After winning the game, Buddi Nagin made the decision to make this place her permanent home. When she left her house, she brought along a small pot with her. While wandering around in Serolsar, the pot accidentally slipped from her hands and a lake appeared right where it fell. This is the story behind the creation of the lake.
The stone that Buddi Nagin was seated on is currently referred to as Kala Pathar.
The Pandavas, while in exile, arrived at Jalori Pass and discovered Serolsar Lake. They decided to cultivate rice in the area surrounding the lake. According to the tale, they had a encounter with Buddi Nagin, a mythical serpent, who appeared before them and then returned to the lake.
The Pandavas retrieved the statue of her from the lake and placed it outside of the lake. They constructed a small temple for her on the shores of the lake. Over the years, this temple has undergone several renovations. The current temple is the fourth one that has been rebuilt.
At the Budhi Nagin Temple, people have a tradition of offering ghee to honor Budhi Nagin, who is considered the mother of all Nag Devtas in the Mandi and Kullu region. Budhi Nagin had a special affection for cows, so visitors bring ghee as an offering to 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 clarified butter (ghee) to both the temple and the lake. Once a year, all the serpent deities (Nagdevas) in the area pay a visit to Budhi Nagin, particularly during significant events. These special occasions are foreseen by the priests
The temple is not open during the winter because it receives a significant amount of snowfall.
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There is a lack of knowledge regarding the exact depth of Serolsar Lake.
Here is another intriguing tale filled with mystery. One day, a Brahmin and his family were taking a leisurely walk near a lake when the Brahmin accidentally fell into the water. Despite their attempts to save him, his family was unable to rescue him. Surprisingly, after a span of three years, the Brahmin returned from the lake. However, he had made a promise to Budhi Nagin, a mystical serpent-like creature, not to divulge her existence to anyone.
His family persistently inquired about his whereabouts and how he managed to survive. Eventually, Brahmin confessed the truth. He revealed that when he fell into the lake, he descended to its depths where Buddi Nagin came to his rescue. According to him, she resides in a magnificent golden palace beneath the lake and is often engaged in the process of churning curd. He also noticed numerous containers filled with milk in her abode.
Once he revealed the truth, he passed away. The residents of the village gathered at the lake and witnessed strange occurrences. It was deduced that Buddi Nagin desired for the lake to remain undisturbed and maintained in a pristine state. The lake is consistently free of debris; not even a solitary leaf can be seen in its waters.
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Jalori Pass is located in the Banjar Valley of the Kullu district, right next to the Suket area of Karsog. This pass serves as a connection between the Kullu and Shimla districts and was constructed by the British with the purpose of gaining entry to Kullu.
Jalori Pass is situated at an elevation of 2000 m. During the winter season, the pass is inaccessible as it gets blocked by a significant amount of snowfall. Banjar Valley, located in the Kullu district, is considered to be a unique and less explored tourist spot.
The Kullu district is separated into three primary valleys: Tirthan, Banjar, and Sainj Valley. The journey to Jibhi through Jalori Pass is a scenic route adorned with thick forests of deodar trees.
The Anni district of Kullu is located between Jalori's pass and Shimla. It is famous for its apple orchards, and visitors can appreciate the stunning sight of these orchards during the season.
Do you feel tired of living in the city? Rediscover your connection with nature by going on a hiking adventure in the Himalayas. Embark on a stunning 5 km hike to reach the serene Serolsar Lake in Jalori Pass. It is an ideal choice for you to escape the urban environment and immerse yourself in the beauty of
Hiking is a straightforward experience as you simply walk in a direct path through a thick jungle filled with deodar and banyan trees. This adventure offers the incredible reward of a panoramic view of the mountains from every angle, as well as the opportunity to witness a truly breathtaking sunset in this mountainous region.
The path of each season varies, and the path of summer is filled with vivid colors as Moses plants stand out on the tree trunks. Additionally, you will have the chance to observe some of the most unique types of plants and animals, such as rare herbs, medicinal 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 options in the meadows surrounding Jalori Pass. Accessing Jalori Pass is convenient and hassle-free.
Pallavi Thakur authored this post as a contribution to the IndiTales Internship Program.
Other articles you may be interested in:
– Bhuira Jams – A business run by women from the mountains
– Ancient temples from the Pandava era in the Karsog Valley of Himachal
– Tourist attractions in Tirthan Valley, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
Comment section:
– Three comments were posted expressing the desire to visit the place mentioned in the article and appreciation for the writer's blog.
It is fascinating to learn about the customs and heritage associated with ghee.
Corinne, expressing a signature
I found this blog to be very enjoyable, particularly the story of Budhi Nagin.
Please refrain from commenting. I would like to save my name, email, and website on this browser for future reference.
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