Continents such as Asia and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, have their own unique cultures and traditions. One such example is the practice of holistic living at Swaswara, located on Om Beach in Gokarna. For those looking for accommodation in Shekhawati, Piramal Haveli is a recommended option. Travelers seeking luxury in a pilgrimage city can consider staying at Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa. Experience the vibrant lifestyle of Lucknow with a stay at Clarks Awadh. Serolsar Lake is not only known for its beauty but also for 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. Being born into a family that still embraces this tradition is a blessing.
Whenever a new calf is born, I have observed my mother and grandmother partaking in a ritual. Intrigued by the practice of collecting ghee in a jar and prohibiting anyone from consuming it, I sought out my grandmother for an explanation. It was during this conversation that I learned that the ghee made from the first milk of the cow was specifically gathered for Budhi Nagin, a deity residing in Serolsar Lake.
The story of Budhi Nagin, also known as Buddi Nagin, begins in the Seraj region of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh. She possessed certain powers bestowed upon her by Durga Maa, who is a form of Nava Durga. Buddi Nagin eventually got married in the Suket region, which is now recognized as 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 children who were peacefully sleeping 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.
After some time, the mother began to feel concerned because the children had been sleeping for a prolonged period without waking up. Ignoring the advice given by Budhi Nagin, the mother decided to remove the blanket. To her surprise, she discovered 5-6 snakes hidden within it. Feeling terrified, she hastily grabbed some ash from the kitchen and threw it onto the snakes. Startled by this sudden action, the snakes quickly scattered in various directions. It is believed that they were not seen or heard from again after this incident.
Upon Buddha Nagin's return, she was filled with sorrow to discover that her children had disappeared. Overwhelmed by her emotions, she made the decision to depart from the village. To this day, a small stone statue, known as Murti, is revered in the house where Buddha Nagin resided in the Bhiuri village of Karsog.
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 Banjar Valley within the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh.
The locals in the region worship Buddhi Nagin as the mother of Nagdev, the deity associated with snakes. They believe that Nagas, or snake beings, are connected to the god 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 the villages, there are numerous stunning temples built in the traditional Himachali style, featuring exquisite wooden carvings. Annually, the Nag Devtas, priests, and villagers embark on a journey throughout the region. People generously donate to the Nagas in various ways. Additionally, they showcase the local Himachali dance known as Nati.
Situated in the heart of enchanting grasslands, the lake offers a captivating sight of the most breathtaking sunset and a 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. There were 60 young girls known as Joginis or Yoginis, who were part of a group called the Paudi of Inderdev. Some of these girls were heading towards Shikari Devi in Mandi, while others were going to Jalori Jot. While passing by Serolsar Lake, they noticed Buddhi Nagin sitting there. Curiously, the Joginis approached her and suggested playing a game together.
The assumption was made that Budhi Nagin would be easy to defeat due to her old age. A decision was reached that if Budhi Nagin emerged victorious in the game, she would consider this location to be sacred. On the other hand, if the Joginis won, Budhi Nagin would agree to vacate this place.
During the game, a girl cheated, which angered Buddi Nagin greatly. As a punishment, she cursed the girl to be transformed into a tiny bird permanently and gave her the responsibility of cleaning the small body of water. This bird is now known as Abhi Chidiya.
After winning the game, Buddi Nagin made the choice to stay in this place indefinitely. As she was leaving her home, she brought along a small pot. While exploring Serolsar, the pot slipped from her grasp, resulting in the formation of a lake right where it fell. This is the origin story of the lake.
The stone that Buddi Nagin was seated on is currently referred to as Kala Pathar.
The Pandavas arrived at Serolsar Lake after their exile and reaching Jalori Pass. To sustain themselves, they began cultivating rice in the vicinity of the lake. According to 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 outside the lake. They constructed a small temple for her on the shores of the lake. Over time, the temple has undergone several renovations. The present temple is the fourth one following its renovation.
At the Budhi Nagin Temple, people have a tradition of offering ghee to Budhi Nagin, who is considered the mother of all Nag Devtas in the Mandi and Kullu regions. Budhi Nagin had a special affection for cows, hence devotees bring ghee as an offering when they visit her temple. The belief is that when ghee is poured inside the temple, it flows directly to the center of the lake where Budhi Nagin is believed to dwell.
Individuals carry numerous kilograms of clarified butter (ghee) to the temple and lake. Once a year, the Nagdevas (snake deities) from the surrounding area come to visit Budhi Nagin, a revered snake goddess. These visits occur during specific events that are foretold by the
The temple cannot be visited during the winter season because it is shut down as a precautionary measure
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There is a lack of knowledge regarding the exact depth of Serolsar Lake.
Here is another intriguing tale. One day, a Brahmin and his family were out for a walk near the lake when he accidentally fell into the water. Despite their efforts, his family was unable to rescue him and he was presumed to be lost. However, after a period of three years, the Brahmin miraculously returned from the lake. It was revealed that during his time underwater, he had made a promise to a mystical serpent named Budhi Nagin, who requested that he keep their encounter a secret and not disclose
His family persistently inquired about his whereabouts and how he managed to survive. Ultimately, Brahmin admitted the truth and revealed that when he fell into the lake, he descended to its depths where he encountered Buddi Nagin. According to him, she resides in a magnificent golden palace beneath the lake and is known for churning curd. He also mentioned witnessing numerous containers of milk during his encounter.
After revealing the truth, he met his demise. The residents of the village gathered at the lake where strange occurrences were happening. It was deduced that Buddi Nagin desired for the lake to remain undisturbed and maintained its cleanliness. True enough, the lake is perpetually pristine, devoid of any leaves.
Discover the stunning beauty of India's most exquisite lakes with this comprehensive guide.
Jalori Pass is located in the Banjar Valley of the Kullu district, adjacent to the Suket area of Karsog. It serves as a connecting route between the Kullu and Shimla districts and was constructed by the British as a means to reach Kullu.
Jalori Pass is situated at an elevation of 2000 m. It becomes inaccessible during the winter season as it gets heavily covered in snow. Banjar Valley, located in Kullu district, is a less-explored tourist spot.
The Kullu district is made up of three primary valleys: Tirthan, Banjar, and Sainj Valley. There is a picturesque road called Jalori Pass that leads to Jibhi and is surrounded by thick deodar trees.
The district of Anni is located in Kullu, extending from Jalori's pass to Shimla. Anni is renowned for its apple orchards, and visitors can admire the stunning sight of these orchards during the appropriate season.
Do you find city life monotonous? Rediscover your connection with nature by embarking on a hiking adventure in the majestic Himalayas. A stunning hike of 5 kilometers leading to the serene Serolsar Lake, located in Jalori Pass, is an ideal choice for you.
Hiking in this area is a straightforward experience, as it simply involves walking in a dense forest filled with deodar and banyan trees. The hike offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, as well as the opportunity to witness an incredibly magnificent sunset in this mountainous region.
Each season follows a unique trajectory, and the path of summer is particularly lively with the vibrant colors of mosses on 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 offered in the beautiful meadows of Jalori Pass. Accessing Jalori Pass is convenient and hassle-free.
Pallavi Thakur wrote this post as a participant in the IndiTales Internship Program.
This blog post highlights Bhuira Jams, an enterprise run by women in the mountains. It also mentions the Pandava Era temples in Karsog Valley and the places to visit in Tirthan Valley, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. The author of the comment expresses their enthusiasm to visit these places after reading the blog and appreciates the publication of such articles.
It is fascinating to learn about the customs and heritage associated with ghee.
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I found this blog very enjoyable, particularly the narrative about Budhi Nagin.
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