Continents such as Asia and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, are known for their diverse cultures and traditions. One such example of holistic living can be found at Swaswara, located on Om Beach in Gokarna. For those looking for accommodation in Shekhawati, Piramal Haveli is worth considering. If luxury travel is what you seek, the Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa offers a great experience in the city of pilgrims. Immerse yourself in the Lucknow lifestyle with a stay at Clarks Awadh. Explore the beautiful Serolsar Lake and learn about the legend of Budhi Nagin. In Indian families, it is customary to save the first ghee made from a cow's milk for worship when a cow gives birth to a calf. This tradition is considered auspicious, and I feel fortunate to have been born into a family that still upholds this cultural practice.
Whenever a new calf is born, I have observed my mother and grandmother partaking in a customary practice. Intrigued, I sought an explanation as to why we gather ghee in a jar and prohibit anyone from consuming it. I approached my grandmother to seek clarification, and she informed me that the ghee collected from the initial milk is intended for Budhi Nagin, a deity residing in Serolsar Lake.
Budhi Nagin, also known as Buddi Nagin, possessed certain abilities bestowed upon her by Durga Maa, a form of Nava Durga. Originally hailing from the Seraj region in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, she later married in the Suket area, which is now recognized as the Karsog district in Himachal Pradesh.
Buddhi Nagin decided to visit the local water territory of the Satluj River. Before leaving, she told her mother not to disturb her sleeping children who were in a basket made of husks in the kitchen. It was a common practice for people to keep their babies in husk baskets before baby prams became popular.
Eventually, the mother became concerned because the children had been sleeping for an extended period of time without waking up. Despite the warnings from Budhi Nagin, the mother disregarded them and picked up the blanket. To her surprise, she discovered 5-6 snakes inside. Filled with fear, she hastily threw kitchen ash at the snakes, causing them to scatter in various directions. It is believed that they were forgotten about 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 made the decision to depart from the village. In the Bhiuri village of Karsog, a small stone statue, known as Murti, continues to be revered within the house where Buddha Nagin resided.
The house, which is of a small size, is unable to be reconstructed or refurbished. 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 is a practice where people believe in Buddhi Nagin as the mother of Nagdev, who is considered to be the snake god. The residents of the area strongly associate Nagas with Shiva. Each Naga is believed to have their own designated area and village, which are named after them, such as Chowasi Nag, Hungru Nag, and Jhakad Nag.
These villages have several stunning temples built in the style of Himachali architecture. These temples showcase exquisite wooden carvings. Every year, the Nag Devtas, priests, and villagers from the region come together and go around the area. The villagers generously offer donations to the Nagas in various forms. Additionally, they engage in traditional Himachali dances known as Nati.
Situated amidst captivating grasslands, the lake offers a mesmerizing sight. Visitors can witness a breathtaking sunset and appreciate the panoramic view of the surrounding mountains from every angle.
According to the tale, Buddhi Nagin arrived at Serolsar Lake and settled on a large stone. At this location, there were 60 young girls known as Joginis or Yoginis, who were referred to as the Paudi of Inderdev. Some of these girls were headed to Shikari Devi in Mandi, while others were going to Jalori Jot. When they noticed Buddhi Nagin sitting in Serolsar Lake, the Joginis approached her and suggested playing a game together.
The assumption was made that the elderly woman would be easily overcome by her opponents. A decision was reached that if Budhi Nagin emerged victorious in the game, she would consider this location as sacred. Conversely, if the Joginis were to win, she would vacate the premises.
During the game, one of the girls engaged in dishonest behavior, causing Buddi Nagin to become extremely angry. As a consequence, Buddi Nagin cast a curse upon the girl, transforming her into a permanent small bird and assigning her 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 a small pot with her when she left her home. While exploring Serolsar, she accidentally dropped the pot, causing a lake to form at that very spot. This is the story behind the creation of the lake.
The rock that Buddi Nagin was seated on has since been named Kala Pathar.
The Pandavas, while on their exile, arrived at Jalori Pass and eventually reached Serolsar Lake. They decided to cultivate rice in the area surrounding the lake. Legend has it that a mythical creature known as 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 on the edge of the lake. Over the years, this shrine has undergone several renovations. The present temple is the fourth one that has been rebuilt after these renovations.
Visitors to the Budhi Nagin Temple in the Mandi and Kullu region have a tradition of offering ghee. Budhi Nagin, considered the mother of all Nag Devta in the area, had a deep affection for cows. As a way to honor her, people bring ghee as an offering when they visit her temple. According to beliefs, when ghee is poured inside the temple, it is believed to magically travel to the center of the lake where Budhi Nagin is believed to reside.
Individuals bring large quantities of ghee to the temple and lake. Every year, the Nagdevas from the area pay a visit to Budhi Nagin on specific events. The local priests are responsible for predicting these special occasions.
The temple cannot be accessed during the winter because it receives an excessive amount of snowfall.
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The depth of Serolsar Lake is a mystery to everyone, as it remains unknown.
Here is a tale filled with intrigue. A Brahmin and his family were leisurely walking near a lake when he accidentally fell in. Despite their 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 he had made a promise to Budhi Nagin, a mystical serpent, to keep her existence a secret from others.
His family persistently inquired about his whereabouts and the manner in which he was rescued. Eventually, the Brahmin revealed the truth. He explained that when he fell into the lake, he descended to the lakebed where he was saved by Buddi Nagin. Buddi Nagin resides in a majestic palace made of gold beneath the lake. He witnessed her engaged in the process of curd churning and noted the presence of numerous containers filled with milk.
Immediately after he revealed the truth, he passed away. The locals gathered at the lake and witnessed a series of unexplainable occurrences. It was deduced that Buddi Nagin desired for the lake to remain undisturbed and maintain its cleanliness. True to its reputation, the lake remained spotless, devoid of even a single leaf.
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Located in the Banjar Valley of the Kullu district, the Suket area of Karsog is situated near Jalori Pass. This pass serves as a connection between the Kullu and Shimla districts and was constructed by the British as a means to enter Kullu.
Jalori Pass is situated at an elevation of 2000 m. It becomes inaccessible during winter because of the substantial amount of snowfall it receives. Banjar Valley is a lesser-known tourist spot located in the Kullu district.
The Kullu district is split into three primary valleys: Tirthan, Banjar, and Sainj Valley. The journey to Jibhi through Jalori Pass offers a picturesque drive surrounded by thick deodar trees.
The Anni district of Kullu can be found on the way to Shimla from Jalori's pass. Anni is famous for its apple orchards, and visitors can enjoy a stunning sight of these orchards during the appropriate season.
Do you feel tired of living in the city? Reestablish your connection with the natural world by going on a hiking adventure in the Himalayas. Embark on a picturesque 5 km hike to reach the serene Serolsar Lake located in Jalori Pass. This excursion is an ideal choice for those seeking a refreshing escape into nature.
Hiking in this area is a straightforward and enjoyable experience. The trail takes you through a thick forest filled with deodar and banyan trees. As you walk, you are treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains from every direction. Additionally, the sunset in this mountainous region is particularly stunning and worth witnessing.
Each season follows a unique course; summer's course is filled with vivid colors as seen in the Moses plant on the tree trunks. Additionally, it offers a glimpse of some of the most uncommon varieties of plants and animals, such as rare herbs, medicinal plants, and untamed wilderness.
Here are some helpful tips for your travel:
– In the vicinity of Jalori Pass, you can find numerous homestays that offer affordable accommodation options.
– Additionally, there are camping facilities available in the meadows of Jalori Pass.
– Accessing Jalori Pass is quite convenient.
Pallavi Thakur authored this post as a contribution to the IndiTales Internship Program.
Other articles you may be interested in:
– Bhuira Jams, a business created by women from the mountains
– Ancient temples from the Pandava Era found in the Karsog Valley of Himachal
– Recommended places to visit in Tirthan Valley, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
Comments:
– This location is highly recommended for those who want to experience the beauty of Indian culture and tradition. After reading your blog, I feel inspired to visit and witness this amazing beauty. Thank you for sharing these types of articles.
It's fascinating to learn about the customs and heritage related to ghee!
Corinne, a name or
I found this blog to be quite enjoyable, particularly the narrative about Budhi Nagin.
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