Continents such as Asia and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, offer various opportunities for holistic living. One such example is Swaswara, a retreat located on Om Beach in Gokarna. For a unique stay in Shekhawati, Piramal Haveli is worth considering. The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa provides a luxurious travel experience in the holy city of Pushkar. To truly experience the lifestyle of Lucknow, Clarks Awadh is an ideal choice. Serolsar Lake holds the legend of Budhi Nagin and is a must-visit destination. In Indian culture, the first ghee made from a cow's milk after giving birth to a calf is saved for worship, as it is considered auspicious. Fortunately, I was born into a family that still values the presence of cows in our culture.
Whenever a new calf is born, I have observed my mother and grandmother performing a ritual. Intrigued by the practice of collecting ghee in a jar and prohibiting anyone from consuming it, I approached my grandmother for an explanation. It was then that I discovered that the ghee from the first milk is collected specifically for Budhi Nagin in Serolsar Lake.
The Budhi Nagin, also known as Buddi Nagin, was a woman from the Seraj area of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh. She possessed some powers that were believed to be bestowed upon her by Durga Maa, a form of Nava Durga. She later got married in the Suket area, which is now referred to 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 sleeping children who were resting in a basket of husks in the kitchen. It was a common practice for people to keep their children in husk baskets before baby prams became popular.
After some time, the mother became concerned because the children were sleeping for an extended period without waking up. Ignoring the advice from Budhi Nagin, the mother lifted the blanket. To her surprise, she discovered 5-6 snakes inside. Terrified, she hastily grabbed some ash from the kitchen and threw it onto the snakes. Startled, the snakes quickly scattered in various directions. It is believed that they were never seen again after this incident.
Upon Buddha Nagin's return, she was devastated to discover that her children were no longer present. Overwhelmed with sorrow, she made the decision to depart from the village. To this day, a small stone idol is revered within the household that Buddha Nagin once resided in, located in the village of Bhiuri in Karsog.
The small house is in such a state that it cannot be reconstructed or improved. Budhi Nagin has left the house and arrived at Serolsar Lake, which is located near Jalori Pass in the Banjar Valley of Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh.
Naga worship is the practice of venerating Buddhi Nagin, who is believed to be the mother of Nagdev, the deity associated with snakes. The inhabitants of the area have a strong belief that Nagas are connected to Shiva. Each Naga has its own designated territory and village, which are named after them, such as Chowasi Nag, Hungru Nag, and Jhakad Nag.
Within these rural communities, numerous temples are built using the traditional architectural style of Himachal Pradesh. These temples feature exquisite wooden carvings that add to their beauty. Annually, the Nag Devtas (snake deities), priests, and local villagers come together to embark on a procession throughout their region. During this event, people generously offer donations to the Nagas in various forms. Additionally, they partake in traditional Himachali dances known as Nati, adding to
The lake is situated amidst captivating fields. Visitors can experience a breathtaking sunset and appreciate the panoramic view of all the surrounding mountains.
According to the tale, there was a place called Serolsar Lake where a snake named Buddhi Nagin arrived and settled on a large stone. At that time, there were 60 young girls known as Joginis or Yoginis, who were divided into two groups. Some of them were heading towards Shikari Devi in Mandi, while others were going to Jalori Jot. It was during their journey that they noticed Buddhi Nagin sitting in Serolsar Lake. The Joginis decided to approach her and suggested playing a game together.
They believed that it would be easy to defeat her because of her age. It was agreed that if Budhi Nagin emerged victorious in the game, she would consider this location to be sacred to her. Conversely, if the Joginis prevailed, she would depart from this place.
During the game, a girl cheated which greatly angered Buddi Nagin. As a result, she placed a curse on the girl, transforming her into a permanent small bird and giving her the duty of cleaning a small water body. 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 as she left her home. While exploring Serolsar, the pot accidentally slipped from her grasp and a lake appeared in that very location. This is the story behind the creation of the lake.
The rock where Buddi Nagin was seated is currently referred to as Kala Pathar.
The Pandavas, while in exile, arrived at Jalori Pass and eventually made their way to Serolsar Lake. They decided to cultivate rice in the vicinity of the lake. According to legend, an entity known as Buddi Nagin appeared before them and then disappeared into the depths of 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 the years, the shrine has undergone several renovations. The present-day temple is the fourth one after the last renovation.
At the Budhi Nagin Temple, people bring ghee as an offering to Budhi Nagin, who is considered the mother of all the Nag Devta in the Mandi and Kullu region. Budhi Nagin had a great love for cows, hence the tradition of offering ghee to her. 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 carry numerous kilograms of clarified butter, known as ghee, to both the temple and lake. Once a year, the Nagdevas, supernatural serpent deities of the area, make a visit to Budhi Nagin during specific events. These events are foretold by local religious leaders.
During the winter season, the temple is not accessible to visitors because it is shut down as a
Discover the top ten books that delve into the fascinating world of the Himalayas.
There is a lack of knowledge regarding the exact depth of Serolsar Lake, adding to its mystical nature.
Here is a tale filled with enigma. One day, a Brahmin and his family were leisurely walking near a lake when he accidentally fell into its waters. Despite their efforts, his family was unable to rescue him. Surprisingly, three years later, the Brahmin reappeared, having emerged from the lake. It turns out that Budhi Nagin, a mystical serpent, had made him swear to keep their encounter a secret from anyone else.
His family persistently inquired about his whereabouts and how he managed to survive. Eventually, Brahmin confessed the truth. He explained that after falling into the lake, he descended to its depths and was rescued by Buddi Nagin. Buddi Nagin resides in a magnificent golden palace beneath the lake. He witnessed her engaged in the act of churning curd and observed numerous containers filled with milk in her abode.
Immediately after he told the truth, he passed away. The residents of the village arrived at the lake and encountered strange occurrences. It was deduced that Buddi Nagin desired for the lake to remain undisturbed and to be maintained in a pristine condition. True enough, the lake is consistently spotless; there is not even a single leaf present within its waters.
Discover the stunning beauty of India's most captivating lakes by reading more about them
Jalori Pass is located in the Banjar Valley of the Kullu district, adjacent to the Suket area of Karsog. It is a pass that serves as a connection between the Kullu and Shimla districts. The British constructed this pass in order to have a way to enter the Kullu region.
Jalori Pass is situated at an elevation of 2000 m. It remains inaccessible during the winter season as it gets blocked by a significant amount of snowfall. Banjar Valley, located in the Kullu district, is an unconventional and less-explored tourist spot.
The Kullu district is split into three primary valleys: Tirthan, Banjar, and Sainj Valley. The route to Jibhi through Jalori Pass offers picturesque views and is lined with thick deodar trees.
The Anni district of Kullu is located towards Shimla, starting from Jalori's pass. Anni is famous for its apple orchards, and visitors can enjoy a stunning sight of these orchards during the season.
Tired of the hustle and bustle of city life? Take a break and immerse yourself in the wonders of nature by embarking on a hiking adventure in the majestic Himalayas. A scenic and enjoyable 5 km hike awaits you, leading to the stunning Serolsar Lake located in Jalori Pass.
Hiking is a straightforward and uncomplicated activity, involving walking in a thick forest filled with deodar and banyan trees. As you trek, you are granted a complete panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, along with the opportunity to witness a stunning sunset that is truly extraordinary in this mountainous region.
Each season follows its own unique course; summer's path is filled with lively and vivid colors, like Moses on the tree trunks. It is a time when you can encounter some of the most uncommon and exceptional types of plants and animals, including rare herbs, medicinal plants, and untamed wilderness.
Tips for Traveling
If you're planning a trip to Jalori Pass, there are plenty of affordable homestays available in the vicinity. Additionally, you can enjoy camping in the beautiful meadows of Jalori Pass. The pass itself is easily accessible, making it a convenient destination for travelers.
Pallavi Thakur authored this post as a contribution to the IndiTales Internship Program.
Other articles by the same author include Bhuira Jams – a business run by women from the mountains and ancient temples from the Pandava era in the Karsog Valley of Himachal Pradesh. Additionally, the author suggests visiting Tirthan Valley in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. The article has received three comments expressing the readers' motivation to visit the place and their appreciation for the author's articles.
It's fascinating to learn about the customs and heritage associated with ghee!
Corinne, my dear.
I found this blog to be quite enjoyable, particularly the fascinating story of Budhi Nagin.
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