Continents like Asia and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, offer various experiences and opportunities for holistic living. One such place is Swaswara, located at Om Beach in Gokarna, which provides a serene environment for people to engage in holistic practices. When deciding on accommodation in Shekhawati, Piramal Haveli is a recommended option to consider. For those seeking luxury travel in a pilgrim's city, the Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa is an ideal choice. Embracing the Lucknow lifestyle can be experienced at Clarks Awadh. Additionally, the Serolsar Lake holds a legendary tale about the Budhi Nagin. In Indian culture, 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 and embraces cows as an integral part of our culture.
Whenever a new calf is born, I have observed my mother and grandmother partake in a customary practice. Intrigued by this, I sought an explanation as to why we gather ghee in a jar that is strictly off-limits for consumption. To find the answer, I approached my grandmother who informed me that the initial milk ghee is collected specifically for offering it to Budhi Nagin at 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, a form of Nava Durga. Eventually, Budhi Nagin married in the Suket area, which is now recognized as Karsog district in Himachal Pradesh.
Buddhi Nagin once ventured close to the local water territory of the Satluj River. Before leaving, she specifically instructed her mother not to disturb her sleeping children, who were nestled in a basket made of husks in the kitchen. It used to be a common practice for people to keep their children in husk baskets before baby prams became widely used.
Eventually, the mother became concerned when the children slept for an extended period without awakening. Despite disregarding the advice of Budhi Nagin, the mother decided to remove the blanket. To her surprise, she discovered 5-6 snakes within it, causing her to become frightened. In a state of panic, she grabbed ash from the kitchen and threw it onto the snakes. Consequently, the snakes scattered in various directions. It is assumed that they were subsequently forgotten about.
Upon Buddha Nagin's return, she was filled with deep sadness upon discovering that her children were no longer present. Overwhelmed by her emotions, she made the decision to depart from the village. In the house where Buddha Nagin resided in Bhiuri village of Karsog, there remains a cherished stone idol which continues to be revered and worshipped.
The house is too damaged to be repaired or remodeled. Budhi Nagin departed from the house and arrived at Serolsar Lake near Jalori Pass in Banjar Valley, located in the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh.
The people in this region worship Buddhi Nagin, whom they believe is the mother of Nagdev, the snake god. They also believe that the Nagas, or snake deities, are connected to Shiva. Each Naga has its own designated area and village named after them, such as Chowasi Nag, Hungru Nag, and Jhakad Nag.
In these rural areas, numerous exquisite temples are built using the architectural style of Himachal Pradesh. These temples showcase intricate wooden carvings that are truly captivating. Annually, Nag Devtas (serpent deities), priests, and local residents come together to tour the surrounding area. People generously contribute donations in various forms to the Nagas. Additionally, they partake in traditional Himachali dances known as Nati.
The mesmerizing meadows surround a centrally located lake. Visitors can experience the breathtaking beauty of the sunset and marvel at the panoramic view of the surrounding mountains from every angle.
According to the tale, a character named Buddhi Nagin arrived at a certain location and settled on a large stone. In that place, there were 60 young girls called Joginis, who were known as the Paudi of Inderdev. These Joginis were on their way to different destinations, some heading to Shikari Devi in Mandi and others going to Jalori Jot. While passing by Serolsar Lake, they noticed Buddhi Nagin sitting there. The Joginis approached her and suggested playing a game together.
Due to her age, they believed it would be easy to overpower her. A decision was made that if Budhi Nagin emerged victorious in the game, she would claim the location as her sacred place. Conversely, if the Joginis were victorious, she would depart from the area.
During the game, one of the girls engaged in cheating, causing Buddi Nagin to become extremely angry. As a consequence, she placed a curse upon the girl, transforming her into a perpetual 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 make this place her permanent home. As she was traveling in Serolsar, she accidentally dropped a small pot she was carrying. Miraculously, a lake appeared in the exact spot where the pot fell, thus creating 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 came across Serolsar Lake. They decided to cultivate rice in the vicinity of the lake. According to folklore, a mythical creature called Buddi Nagin appeared before them and then returned to the lake.
The Pandavas retrieved the statue of the goddess from the lake and placed it on the shore. They constructed a small temple for her next to the lake. Over the years, the temple has undergone multiple renovations. The current temple is the fourth version after being renovated.
Visitors to the Budhi Nagin Temple show their admiration for cows by offering ghee. Budhi Nagin, considered the mother of all Nag Devta in the Mandi and Kullu region, had a strong affection for cows. It is customary for people to bring ghee as an offering to her temple. According to belief, when ghee is poured inside the temple, it is believed to reach the center of the lake where Budhi Nagin resides.
Individuals bring large amounts of ghee to both the temple and the lake. Once a year, the Nagdevas from the surrounding area come to visit Budhi Nagin during significant events, which are foretold by the local priests.
The temple cannot be accessed during the winter season because it experiences significant snowfall.
Discover the top ten books about the Himalayas that you should definitely read.
Fascinating Information about Serolsar Lake
The true depth of the lake remains a mystery to everyone.
Here is another story filled with intrigue. One day, a Brahmin and his family were taking a leisurely walk near a lake. Unfortunately, the Brahmin accidentally fell into the water and despite his family's attempts to rescue him, they were unsuccessful. Surprisingly, after a period of three years, the Brahmin mysteriously returned from the lake. It was revealed that during his time underwater, he had made a promise to Budhi Nagin, a mystical serpent, not to disclose her existence to anyone.
His relatives persistently inquired about his whereabouts and how he managed to survive. Eventually, the Brahmin revealed the truth. He explained that when he fell into the lake, he descended to the lake's depths where he was rescued by Buddi Nagin. She resides in a magnificent palace made of gold within the lake. The Brahmin observed numerous containers of milk as he witnessed her churning curd.
After he revealed the truth, he passed away. The residents of the village gathered by the lake and observed strange occurrences taking place. It was believed that Buddi Nagin desired for the lake to remain undisturbed and maintained in a pristine condition. Without a doubt, the lake is always spotless, as not even a solitary leaf can be discovered within its waters.
Discover the breathtaking beauty of India's most stunning lakes by reading more about them
Located in the Kullu district, Jalori Pass is a mountain pass that connects the Kullu and Shimla districts. It is situated near the Suket area of Karsog and falls within the Banjar Valley. Originally constructed by the British, the purpose of building this pass was to establish a route to gain entry into Kullu.
Jalori Pass is situated at an elevation of 2000 meters. During the winter season, the pass is inaccessible as it gets blocked by a significant amount of snowfall. Banjar Valley is a lesser-known tourist spot located in the Kullu district.
The Kullu district is split into three primary valleys known as Tirthan, Banjar, and Sainj Valley. A picturesque road called Jalori Pass, surrounded by lush deodar trees, leads to the charming village of Jibhi.
The Anni district of Kullu can be found on the way from Jalori's pass to Shimla. Anni is famous for its apple orchards, and visitors can enjoy the stunning sight of these orchards during the season.
Are you feeling tired of the hustle and bustle of city life? Take a break and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature by going on a hiking adventure in the Himalayas. An enchanting trek of 5 kilometers awaits you at Jalori Pass, leading you to the serene Serolsar Lake. This scenic journey is ideal for those
Hiking is a simple and straightforward activity that involves walking in a lush jungle filled with deodar and banyan trees. As a result, you are treated to a breathtaking panoramic view of the mountains in every direction, as well as the most stunning sunset you can imagine.
Each season has its own unique journey, and summer's path is filled with vibrant colors as Moses plants bloom on the tree trunks. Along this path, you can also encounter some of the most uncommon types of plants and animals, such as rare herbs, medicinal plants, and untouched wilderness.
If you're looking for affordable accommodation near Jalori Pass, there are several homestays available. Additionally, you can also camp in the beautiful meadows of Jalori Pass. Accessing Jalori Pass is convenient and hassle-free.
Pallavi Thakur authored this post as a participant in the IndiTales Internship Program.
In this article, we learn about Bhuira Jams, a business run by women from the mountains. The Karsog Valley in Himachal Pradesh is home to temples from the Pandava era. If you're looking for places to visit in Tirthan Valley, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, this article provides some recommendations. The author expresses their excitement to visit these places after reading the blog and thanks the publisher for sharing such articles.
It is quite fascinating to learn about the customs and heritage associated with ghee.
Hello Corinne.
I found this blog to be highly enjoyable, particularly the engaging story of Budhi Nagin.
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