Continents like Asia and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, have different destinations that offer holistic living experiences. One such place is Swaswara, located at Om Beach in Gokarna, which focuses on holistic living practices. If you are planning to stay in Shekhawati, Piramal Haveli is a recommended accommodation option to consider. For a luxury travel experience in the pilgrim's city of Pushkar, Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa is a great choice. Clarks Awadh provides the opportunity to immerse in the vibrant lifestyle of Lucknow. Serolsar Lake is a popular destination with a legend surrounding the Budhi Nagin. In Indian families, the first ghee made from a cow's milk is considered sacred and saved for worship. I feel fortunate to have been born into a family where cows hold cultural significance.
Whenever a new calf is born, I have observed my mother and grandmother performing a ritual. I became curious about the reason behind collecting ghee in a jar and prohibiting anyone from eating from it. To find an answer, I approached my grandmother. It was then that she informed me that the first milk ghee was gathered for Budhi Nagin in Serolsar Lake.
The story of Budhi Nagin, also known as Buddi Nagin, begins in the Seraj region of the Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh. She possessed certain abilities bestowed upon her by Durga Maa, who is considered a manifestation of Nava Durga. Budhi Nagin later got married in the Suket area, which is currently known 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 children who were sleeping in a basket made of husks in the kitchen. In the past, it was common for people to use husk baskets to hold their children before baby prams became popular.
After some time, her mother became concerned because the children had been sleeping for a long time without waking up. Despite Budhi Nagin's instructions, her mother decided to pick up the blanket. To her surprise, she found 5-6 snakes inside it. Scared, she quickly grabbed some ash from the kitchen and threw it on the snakes. The snakes scattered in various directions, and it is thought that they were forgotten about after this incident.
Upon Buddha Nagin's return, she experienced immense sadness upon discovering that her children had left. Overwhelmed by her emotions, she made the decision to depart from the village. To this day, a small stone statue is revered within the home that Buddha Nagin once resided in, located in the village of Bhiuri in Karsog.
The house is in such a condition that it cannot be reconstructed or refurbished. Budhi Nagin departed from the house and arrived at Serolsar Lake, which is located near Jalori Pass in the Banjar Valley of Kullu District in Himachal Pradesh.
The people in the region have a belief in Naga Worship, where they worship Buddhi Nagin as the mother of Nagdev, who is considered the god of snakes. It is believed that Nagas 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 traditional Himachali architectural styles. These temples are adorned with exquisite wooden carvings. Annually, Nag Devtas (snake deities), priests, and local villagers embark on a procession around their region. People contribute donations of various kinds to the Nagas. Additionally, they partake in traditional Himachali dances known as Nati.
Situated amidst captivating fields, the lake offers a tranquil setting where one can revel in the awe-inspiring sight of a breathtaking sunset. Additionally, visitors can appreciate the panoramic view of the surrounding mountains from every angle.
According to the tale, a mythical creature named Buddhi Nagin arrived at Serolsar Lake and settled on a large rock. In the vicinity, there were 60 young girls known as Joginis or Yoginis, who were divided into two groups. One group was heading towards Shikari Devi in Mandi, while the other was going to Jalori Jot. These Joginis noticed Buddhi Nagin sitting in Serolsar Lake and decided to approach her. They suggested playing a game together.
The assumption was made that the elderly woman would be easily conquered. A decision was reached that if Budhi Nagin emerged victorious in the game, she would consider this location as her sacred space, but if the Joginis were triumphant, she would depart from this place.
During the game, a girl cheated which angered Buddi Nagin greatly. In response, Buddi Nagin placed a curse on the girl, transforming her into a small bird. Additionally, she gave the bird 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 choice to make this place her permanent home. When she left her house, she took along a small pot. While exploring Serolsar, the pot accidentally slipped from her grasp, resulting in the creation of a lake right where it fell. And that is how the lake came into existence.
The rock where Buddi Nagin was seated is currently referred to as Kala Pathar.
The Pandavas, who were banished, arrived at Jalori Pass and discovered Serolsar Lake. They decided to cultivate rice in the vicinity of the lake. According to the tale, a mystical 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 near the lake. Over time, the temple has been restored multiple times. The present temple is the fourth one following the renovations.
At the Budhi Nagin Temple, individuals have the opportunity to offer ghee. Budhi Nagin, who is considered the mother of all Nag Devta in the Mandi and Kullu region, had a deep affection for cows. Consequently, visitors to her temple bring ghee as an offering. It is believed that when ghee is poured inside the temple, it is directly transported to the center of the lake where Budhi Nagin resides.
Individuals carry several kilograms of ghee to the temple and lake. Every year, the Nagdevas from the surrounding area come to visit Budhi Nagin on specific events. These special occasions are foretold by the local priests.
During the winter season, the temple remains closed because it experiences significant snowfall.
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The depth of Serolsar Lake is a mystery, as nobody has been able to determine it.
Here is another story shrouded in mystery. A Brahmin and his family were walking near a lake when he accidentally fell in. Despite their efforts, his family was unable to rescue him. Surprisingly, after a period of three years, the Brahmin returned from the lake. He had made a promise to Budhi Nagin, a mysterious creature, not to reveal her existence to anyone.
His family persistently inquired of him, "Where did you disappear to?" and "How did you manage to survive?" Eventually, the Brahmin spoke honestly and revealed that when he fell into the lake, he descended to its depths where he encountered Buddi Nagin who rescued him. Buddi Nagin resides in a magnificent golden palace within the lake, where she is known for churning curd and having numerous containers of milk.
After revealing the truth, he immediately passed away. The local residents gathered at the lake and witnessed peculiar happenings. It was deduced that Buddi Nagin desired for the lake to remain undisturbed and maintained in a pristine condition. The lake consistently appears clean, with not a single leaf present within its waters.
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Jalori Pass is located in the Banjar Valley of Kullu district, adjacent to the Suket area of Karsog. This pass serves as a connection between the Kullu and Shimla districts and was constructed by the British to establish a route to Kullu.
Jalori Pass is situated at an elevation of 2000 m. During the winter season, the pass is inaccessible because of the significant amount of snowfall it experiences. Banjar Valley, found in the Kullu district, is a less popular but unique destination for tourists to explore.
The district of Kullu 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 deodar trees.
The Anni district of Kullu, which is located between Jalori's pass and Shimla, is famous for its apple orchards. Visitors can enjoy the stunning sight of these orchards during the apple season.
Do you feel tired of the urban lifestyle? Reestablish your connection with the natural world by embarking on a hike in the Himalayas. A stunning 5 km trek to the Serolsar Lake, located in Jalori Pass, presents an ideal opportunity for you.
Hiking through a thick forest of deodar and banyan trees is a straightforward and enjoyable activity. The hike offers a magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, allowing you to witness a breathtaking sunset amidst the scenic beauty of the mountains.
Each season has its own unique characteristics. In the summer, the path is filled with vibrant colors, like Moses on the tree trunks. Additionally, there is an abundance of rare flora and fauna, such as uncommon 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 of camping in the beautiful meadows of Jalori Pass. Getting to Jalori Pass is convenient and hassle-free.
Pallavi Thakur has authored this post as a component of the IndiTales Internship Program.
This article discusses Bhuira Jams, a business run by women in the mountains. It also mentions the presence of temples from the Pandava era in the Karsog Valley of Himachal. Additionally, it highlights some of the places to visit in Tirthan Valley, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. The writer 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!
Corinne, the person referred
I found this blog to be very enjoyable, especially the part about Budhi Nagin's story
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