Continents such as Asia and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, offer diverse cultural experiences. One such experience can be found at Swaswara, located on Om Beach in Gokarna, which promotes holistic living. For accommodation in Shekhawati, Piramal Haveli is a recommended option. Luxury travel in the pilgrimage city of Pushkar can be enjoyed at the Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa. To immerse oneself in the life of Lucknow, Clarks Awadh offers a great opportunity. The Serolsar Lake holds a legendary tale about the Budhi Nagin, adding to its allure. In Indian families, it is customary to save the first ghee made from a cow's milk for worship, as it is considered auspicious. Fortunately, I was born into a family that still values cows as a part of our culture.
Whenever a new calf is born, I have observed my mother and grandmother performing a ritual. Intrigued by this tradition of collecting ghee in a jar and prohibiting anyone from consuming it, I sought an explanation from my grandmother. It was during this conversation that I discovered the significance of collecting the initial milk ghee for Budhi Nagin in Serolsar Lake.
The story of Budhi Nagin, also known as Buddi Nagin, originates from the Seraj region of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh. She possessed some special abilities bestowed upon her by Durga Maa, one of the manifestations of Nava Durga. Buddi Nagin got married in the Suket area, which is now recognized as Karsog district in Himachal Pradesh.
Buddhi Nagin ventured close to the local water area of the Satluj River. She specifically told her mother not to disturb her sleeping children in the kitchen. In those times, people would place their children in baskets made of husks as a means of keeping them safe, before baby prams became commonly used.
After a period of time, the mother became concerned because the children had been sleeping for an extended 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 hiding within it. Feeling scared, she hastily grabbed some ash from the kitchen and threw it at the snakes. Startled by the ash, the snakes quickly scattered in various directions. It is believed that they were not seen or thought of again after this incident.
Upon Buddha Nagin's return, she was devastated to discover that her children had left. Overwhelmed with grief, she made the decision to depart from the village. In the Bhiuri village of Karsog, there is a house where Buddha Nagin resided, and within it, a small stone statue is still revered and worshipped.
The house is in such a poor condition that it cannot be repaired or remodeled. Budhi Nagin decided to leave the house and traveled to Serolsar Lake, which is located near Jalori Pass in the Banjar Valley of Kullu District in Himachal Pradesh.
Naga Worship is the practice of honoring and revering Buddhi Nagin, who is considered to be the mother of Nagdev, the snake god. The people living in the area strongly believe that the Nagas, or serpent beings, are closely connected to Shiva, the Hindu deity. Each Naga is associated with a specific area and village, and these places are named after them, such as Chowasi Nag, Hungru Nag, and Jhakad Nag.
Within these villages, numerous exquisite temples are built using the architectural style specific to the Himachal region. These temples boast intricate wooden carvings that add to their charm. Annually, the Nag Devtas (deities associated with snakes), priests, and villagers traverse their vicinity. Individuals make donations of various kinds to the Nagas as a gesture of reverence. Additionally, the locals partake in traditional dances native to Himachal Pradesh known as Nati.
Situated amidst enchanting grasslands, the lake offers a captivating sight. Visitors can relish the breathtaking sunset and marvel at the panoramic scenery of the surrounding mountains from every angle.
According to the tale, a character named Buddhi Nagin arrived at Serolsar Lake and settled on a large stone. In that area, there were 60 young girls known as Joginis or Yoginis, who were called the Paudi of Inderdev. Some of these girls were heading to Shikari Devi in Mandi, while others were going to Jalori Jot. When they spotted Buddhi Nagin sitting in Serolsar Lake, the Joginis approached her and proposed playing a game together.
They believed that due to her old age, she would be easy to defeat. A decision was made that if Budhi Nagin emerged victorious in the game, she would consider this place sacred and if the Joginis won, she would vacate the premises.
During the game, one of the girls engaged in cheating, which greatly angered Buddi Nagin. As a result, she placed a curse on the girl, transforming her into a permanent small bird and assigning her the duty of cleaning a small body of water. This transformed bird is now referred to as Abhi Chidiya.
Buddi Nagin emerged victorious in the game and made the decision to make this place her permanent home. As she ventured around Serolsar, she accidentally dropped a small pot she was carrying, resulting in the creation of a lake right at that very spot. And thus, the birth of the lake came to be.
The rock where Buddi Nagin was seated has been given the name 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 legend, they encountered 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 on the shore. They constructed a small shrine for her near the lake. Over time, the temple has undergone several renovations. The present temple is the fourth one after being refurbished.
People who visit the Budhi Nagin Temple in the Mandi and Kullu region bring ghee as an offering. Budhi Nagin, who is considered the mother of all the Nag Devta in the area, had a strong affinity for cows. It is believed that when ghee is poured inside the temple, it goes directly to the center of the lake where Budhi Nagin resides.
Individuals bring large quantities of ghee to both the temple and the lake. On specific occasions, the Nagdevas from the surrounding area make a yearly visit to Budhi Nagin. The local priests are responsible for determining these special events.
During the winter season, the temple is not open to the public because it experiences a significant amount
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There is a lack of knowledge regarding the exact depth of Serolsar Lake.
Here is another intriguing story filled with mystery. One day, a Brahmin and his family were walking near a lake when he accidentally fell into the water. Despite their efforts, his family was unable to save him. Surprisingly, after a period of three years, the Brahmin returned from the lake. It turned out that he had made a promise to Budhi Nagin, a mystical serpent, not to reveal her existence to anyone.
His family persistently questioned him, inquiring about his whereabouts and how he managed to survive. Eventually, the Brahmin confessed the truth. He revealed that after falling into the lake, he descended to its depths where he was rescued by Buddi Nagin. According to him, she resides in a magnificent golden palace situated within the depths of the lake. He further mentioned witnessing numerous containers of milk during his encounter with her, as she engaged in the activity of churning curd.
After he revealed the truth, he met his demise. The locals gathered near the lake and encountered strange occurrences. It was believed that Buddi Nagin desired for the lake to remain undisturbed and maintained in a pristine state. True to this belief, the lake was always immaculate, devoid of any leaves or debris.
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Jalori Pass is located in the Banjar Valley of the Kullu district, neighboring 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 establish a route to Kullu.
Jalori Pass is situated at an elevation of 2000 meters. It becomes inaccessible during winter as it gets blocked by a significant amount of snowfall. Banjar Valley, located in the Kullu district, is an unconventional choice for tourists seeking a unique experience.
The Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh is separated into three primary valleys: Tirthan, Banjar, and Sainj Valley. The journey to Jibhi through Jalori Pass offers a scenic route with abundant deodar trees.
The Anni district of Kullu, located towards Shimla from Jalori's pass, is famous for its apple orchards. Visitors can enjoy a stunning sight of apple orchards during the season.
Are you feeling tired of living in the city? Rejuvenate yourself by going on a hiking trip in the Himalayas. Embark on a stunning 5 km hike to reach the serene Serolsar Lake, located in Jalori Pass. This adventure is tailor-made for those seeking a connection with nature.
Hiking is a simple and straightforward activity that involves walking through a thick forest filled with deodar and banyan trees. The hike offers a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding mountains from every angle, and particularly showcases a breathtaking sunset in the mountainous region.
Each season follows a unique trajectory, with summer being particularly lively and filled with vibrant colors, such as the striking hues of Moses on the tree trunks. Additionally, one can encounter some of the most uncommon types of plants and animals, including rare herbs, medicinal plants, and untamed wilderness.
Tips for Traveling
If you're looking for affordable accommodation near Jalori Pass, there are plenty of homestays available. Additionally, you have the option to camp in the meadows of Jalori Pass. The pass itself is easily reachable.
Pallavi Thakur authored this post as a component of the IndiTales Internship Program.
This particular location is highly recommended for individuals who are interested in experiencing the beauty of Indian culture and tradition. After reading your blog, I feel inspired to visit this place and witness the incredible beauty myself. Thank you for consistently publishing articles like these.
It is fascinating to learn about the customs and heritage associated with ghee!
Corinne, an individual with
I found this blog to be highly enjoyable, particularly the fascinating tale of Budhi Nagin.
Please refrain from responding to this post. Remember to save my information, including my name, email, and website, for future comments on this browser.
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