Continents such as Asia and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, offer various experiences and destinations for travelers. One such destination is Swaswara, located on Om Beach in Gokarna, which promotes holistic living. For those looking for accommodation in Shekhawati, Piramal Haveli is worth considering. Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa provides luxury travel options in the city of Pilgrim. Living the Lucknow life can be experienced at Clarks Awadh. Serolsar Lake holds the legend of Budhi Nagin. In Indian culture, the first ghee made from a cow's milk after giving birth is considered sacred and often saved for worship. Growing up in a family where cows are valued, I feel fortunate to have been a part of this tradition.
Whenever a new calf is born, I have observed both my mother and grandmother performing a ritual. Intrigued by the practice of collecting ghee in a specific jar and prohibiting anyone from consuming it, I approached my grandmother to gain clarity. It was during this conversation that she revealed the purpose behind this tradition – the ghee from the first milk is gathered for 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 as Buddi Nagin and possessed certain powers bestowed upon her by Durga Maa, one of the forms of Nava Durga. Budhi Nagin later got married in the Suket region, which is currently recognized as Karsog district in Himachal Pradesh.
Buddhi Nagin ventured close to the local water area of the Satluj River. Before leaving, she told her mother not to disturb her children who were peacefully sleeping in a husk basket in the kitchen. In the past, it was customary for people to place their infants in husk baskets instead of using baby prams.
Her mother became concerned when the children continued to sleep for an extended period without waking up. Ignoring the advice from Budhi Nagin, her mother decided to remove the blanket. To her surprise, she discovered 5-6 snakes nestled within it. Overwhelmed with fear, she hastily grabbed some ash from the kitchen and threw it on the snakes. Startled by the ash, the snakes scattered in various directions. It is believed that they were forgotten about after this incident.
Upon Buddha Nagin's return, she was devastated to discover that her children had left. Overwhelmed with sadness, she made the decision to depart from the village. In the Bhiuri village of Karsog, there remains a revered small stone statue in the house where Buddha Nagin once resided.
The house that Budhi Nagin left behind cannot be reconstructed or refurbished. He made his way to Serolsar Lake, located near Jalori Pass in the Banjar Valley of Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh.
The people in the area worship Buddhi Nagin as the mother of Nagdev, who is considered the god of snakes. It is believed that the Nagas, or snakes, are connected to Shiva. Each Naga has its own designated area and village named after them, such as Chowasi Nag, Hungru Nag, and Jhakad Nag.
The villages in this region have numerous stunning temples built in the traditional Himachali architectural style. These temples are adorned with intricate wooden carvings that add to their beauty. Every year, Nag Devtas (deities), priests, and villagers come together to tour the area. During this tour, people offer donations to the Nagas (snake deities) in various forms. Additionally, they also partake in traditional Himachali dances known as Nati.
The mesmerizing meadows surround the lake, which is situated in the center. Visitors can witness breathtaking sunsets and marvel at the panoramic view of the mountains from every angle.
According to the legend, 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, who were on their way to Shikari Devi in Mandi or Jalori Jot. They spotted Buddi Nagin sitting in Serolsar Lake and decided to approach her and propose playing a game together.
Due to her old age, they believed that defeating her would be a simple task. They came to an agreement that if Budhi Nagin emerged victorious in the game, she would consider this place sacred. However, if the Joginis were to win, she would be obliged to vacate the area.
During the game, a girl broke the rules and cheated, which greatly angered Buddi Nagin. As a punishment, Buddi Nagin cursed her to permanently transform into a small bird and gave her the responsibility 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. During her journey in Serolsar, she accidentally dropped a small pot she was carrying, and as a result, a lake appeared right at that very spot. Thus, the lake was created.
The rock where Buddi Nagin was seated is currently referred to as Kala Pathar.
The Pandavas arrived at Serolsar Lake during their time in exile, following their journey to Jalori Pass. They decided to cultivate rice in the vicinity of the lake. According to the tale, a mythical creature known as Buddi Nagin appeared before them and then returned to the depths of the lake.
The Pandavas retrieved the statue of the goddess from the lake and relocated it outside of the lake. They constructed a small temple for her along the shores of the lake. Over the years, the temple has undergone several renovations. The present temple is the fourth one built after these renovations.
At the Budhi Nagin Temple, people have a tradition of offering ghee. Budhi Nagin, who is considered the mother of all Nag Devtas in the Mandi and Kullu region, had a deep affection for cows. Therefore, visitors to the temple bring ghee as an offering. It is believed that when ghee is poured inside the temple, it reaches the heart of the lake where Budhi Nagin dwells.
Individuals bring large amounts of ghee to both the temple and the lake. Once a year, the Nagdevas from the surrounding area gather to visit Budhi Nagin, which is determined by the local priests based on special events.
During the winter season, the temple is not open to visitors because of the significant amount of snow
Discover 10 highly recommended books about the Himalayas to deepen your knowledge and understanding of this
The depth of Serolsar Lake remains unknown to everyone.
Here is an intriguing tale filled with mysteries. A Brahmin, accompanied by his family, was enjoying a leisurely walk near the lake when he accidentally fell into its depths. Despite their best efforts, his family was unable to rescue him. Surprisingly, after a span of three years, the Brahmin returned from the lake. It turns out that during his time there, he had made a promise to Budhi Nagin, a mystical serpent, not to reveal her existence to anyone.
His relatives persistently inquired about his whereabouts and how he managed to survive. Eventually, Brahmin revealed the truth. He explained that when he fell into the lake, he descended to the lake's bottom and was rescued by Buddi Nagin. She resides in a magnificent golden palace within the lake and is known for churning curd. He also noticed numerous containers of milk in her abode.
After revealing the truth, he immediately died. The villagers gathered at the lake and noticed strange occurrences taking place. It was deduced that Buddi Nagin desired for the lake to remain undisturbed and to be maintained in a pristine condition. The lake is consistently clean, with not a single leaf present within its waters.
Discover the exquisite natural beauty of India through its breathtaking lakes.
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 in order to reach Kullu.
Jalori Pass is situated at a height of 2000 meters. It becomes inaccessible during the winter season because of the substantial amount of snowfall it receives. 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 is a scenic drive adorned with thick deodar trees.
The Anni district of Kullu, which is located towards Shimla from Jalori's pass, is famous for its apple orchards. Visitors can enjoy the scenic beauty of these apple orchards during the season.
Are you feeling tired of the city and craving a connection with nature? Embark on a thrilling hike in the majestic Himalayas to rejuvenate your senses. The serene Serolsar Lake awaits you on a scenic 5 km trek through the enchanting Jalori Pass. It is an ideal getaway for those seeking solace and tranquility amidst the
Hiking in this area is a simple and straightforward path that takes you through a thick forest filled with deodar and banyan trees. As you walk, you will be delighted by the breathtaking sight of the surrounding mountains from every angle. Moreover, the mountains offer the most magnificent sunset experience one can witness in this region.
Each season has its own unique journey, and in the summer, nature comes alive with vibrant colors like Moses on the tree trunks. This season also offers the opportunity to encounter some of the most uncommon species of plants and animals, including rare herbs, medicinal plants, and untamed wilderness.
Tips for traveling
If you're looking for affordable accommodations near Jalori Pass, there are plenty of homestays available. Additionally, you can also find camping facilities in the meadows of Jalori Pass. Accessing Jalori Pass is relatively easy.
The author of this post is Pallavi Thakur and it is a contribution made during the IndiTales Internship Program.
In this article, we learn about Bhuira Jams, an enterprise started by women from the mountains. We also explore the Pandava Era Temples located in the Karsog Valley of Himachal. Additionally, we discover some of the places to visit in Tirthan Valley, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. The article has received three comments, with one reader expressing their desire to visit these places and witness the incredible beauty of Indian culture and tradition. The reader thanks the author for publishing such articles and encourages them to continue.
It is fascinating to learn about the customs and heritage associated with ghee.
Corinne x
I found this blog to be very enjoyable, particularly the narrative about Budhi Nagin.
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