Continents such as Asia and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, are home to various cultures and traditions. One such place where holistic living can be experienced is Swaswara at Om Beach in Gokarna. For a unique accommodation option, Piramal Haveli in Shekhawati is worth considering. Those seeking luxury travel in a city known for its pilgrimages can opt for Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa. Living the Lucknow life can be experienced at Clarks Awadh. Additionally, Serolsar Lake holds a legend about the Budhi Nagin. In Indian families, the first ghee made from a cow's milk after it gives birth to a calf is saved for worship as it is considered auspicious. Being born into a family that values cows as part of its culture, I feel blessed.
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 forbidding anyone from consuming it, I approached my grandmother to seek an explanation. It was during this conversation that I learned that the initial milk ghee is gathered for Budhi Nagin, a deity residing in Serolsar Lake.
The tale of Budhi Nagin, also known as Buddi Nagin, tells the story of a woman who possessed certain abilities bestowed upon her by Durga Maa, a form of the goddess Nava Durga. Buddi Nagin hailed from the Seraj region of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh. She eventually married and settled in the Suket area, which is now known as Karsog district in Himachal Pradesh.
Buddhi Nagin decided to visit the water territory near the Satluj River. Before leaving, she told her mother not to disturb her sleeping children. In those times, people used to keep their babies in husk baskets instead of using baby prams, and that's where Buddhi Nagin's children were resting in the kitchen.
Eventually, the mother became concerned because the children had been sleeping for an extended period without awakening. Disregarding the advice of Budhi Nagin, the mother decided to remove the blanket. To her astonishment, she discovered 5-6 snakes hiding within it. Overwhelmed with fear, she hastily grabbed some ash from the kitchen and threw it at the snakes. Startled, the snakes scattered in various directions. It is believed that they were subsequently forgotten about.
Upon Buddha Nagin's return, she was filled with sadness to discover 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, a small stone idol continues to be revered and worshipped.
The house, which is in a state of disrepair, cannot be reconstructed or restored. Budhi Nagin departed from the house and arrived at Serolsar Lake, located near Jalori Pass in the Banjar Valley of Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh.
Naga Worship revolves around the belief that Buddhi Nagin is the mother of Nagdev, who is considered the god of snakes. The people in the region believe that Nagas are connected to Shiva. Each Naga is believed to have its own designated area and village named after them, such as Chowasi Nag, Hungru Nag, and Jhakad Nag.
In these rural communities, numerous exquisite temples are built using the traditional architectural style of Himachal Pradesh. These temples are adorned with intricate wooden carvings, adding to their beauty. Annually, the locals, including the Nag Devtas (snake deities), priests, and villagers, embark on a procession throughout the region. During this event, people present various forms of donations to the Nagas as a gesture of reverence. Additionally, the villagers partake in performing the indigenous
Situated amidst captivating fields, the lake offers a breathtaking experience with its stunning sunset and panoramic scenery of the surrounding mountains.
According to the tale, a snake named Buddhi Nagin arrived at Serolsar Lake and perched on a large rock. At that time, there were 60 young girls known as Joginis or Yoginis, who were divided into two groups. Some of them were on their way to visit Shikari Devi in Mandi, while others were heading towards Jalori Jot. As they passed by Serolsar Lake, they noticed Buddhi Nagin and decided to approach her. The Joginis suggested playing a game together.
They believed that they would be able to easily conquer her because she was elderly. A decision was made that if Budhi Nagin emerges victorious in the game, she will consider this place sacred and if Joginis win, she will vacate this location.
During the game, one of the girls engaged in cheating, which greatly infuriated Buddi Nagin. As a consequence, she placed a curse upon the girl, transforming her into a small bird and assigning her the eternal duty of cleaning a small body of water. This small bird is now referred to as Abhi Chidiya.
After winning the game, Buddi Nagin made the decision to stay in this place indefinitely. As she was leaving her home, she took along a small pot. While exploring the Serolsar area, the pot accidentally slipped from her hands, resulting in a lake forming right at that very spot. And thus, the formation of the lake can be attributed to this incident.
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 near the lake. According to the tale, a mythical creature called 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 of the lake. They constructed a small temple for her on the shores of the lake. Over time, the temple has undergone multiple renovations. The present temple is the fourth one following the renovations.
Visitors to the Budhi Nagin Temple in Mandi and Kullu region have a tradition of offering ghee to Budhi Nagin, who is considered the mother of all Nag Devta in the area. Budhi Nagin had a deep affection for cows, hence the practice of bringing ghee as an offering. According to belief, when ghee is poured inside the temple, it is believed to travel directly to the center of the lake where Budhi Nagin is believed to reside.
Individuals carry several kilograms of ghee to the temple and lake. Once a year, the Nagdevas from the surrounding area come to visit Budhi Nagin on specific occasions. The local priests are responsible for forecasting these special events.
The temple cannot be visited during the winter because it is closed due to the large amount of snow
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The exact depth of Serolsar Lake remains a mystery to everyone.
Here is another intriguing tale. One day, a Brahmin and his family were walking near a lake when the Brahmin accidentally fell into the water. Despite their efforts, his family was unable to rescue him and he disappeared. Surprisingly, after three years had passed, the Brahmin miraculously returned from the lake. However, he was bound by a promise he made to Budhi Nagin, a mysterious serpent-like creature, not to disclose her existence to anyone.
His family persistently questioned him, demanding to know his whereabouts and how he managed to survive. Eventually, Brahmin finally revealed the truth. He explained that when he fell into the lake, he descended to its depths and was rescued by a creature called Buddi Nagin. Buddi Nagin dwells in a magnificent palace made of gold at the bottom of the lake. Brahmin also witnessed numerous containers of milk, as Buddi Nagin was known to churn curd there.
After he revealed the truth, he passed away. The residents of the village noticed unusual occurrences when they arrived at the lake. It was deduced that Buddi Nagin desired the lake to remain undisturbed and maintained in a pristine condition. True enough, the lake always appears immaculate, devoid of even a single leaf within its waters.
Discover the enchanting beauty of India's most stunning lakes.
Jalori Pass is located in the Banjar Valley of the Kullu district, right next to the Suket area of Karsog. This pass serves as a connection between the Kullu and Shimla districts, and it was constructed by the British as a means to gain entry into Kullu.
Jalori Pass stands at an elevation of 2000 meters. During the winter season, the pass is inaccessible because of the significant amount of snowfall it receives. Banjar Valley, located in the Kullu district, is considered a unique and less-explored spot for tourists.
The district of Kullu is split into three primary valleys: Tirthan, Banjar, and Sainj Valley. The route to Jibhi through Jalori Pass offers a scenic drive surrounded by thick deodar trees.
The Anni district of Kullu, located between Jalori's pass and Shimla, is famous for its apple orchards. Visitors can enjoy the stunning sight of apple orchards during the season.
Tired of the hustle and bustle of city living? Take a break from it all and immerse yourself in the wonders of nature by embarking on a hiking adventure in the Himalayas. The breathtaking journey to Serolsar Lake, spanning a distance of 5 kilometers, is an ideal way to reconnect with the tranquility of nature.
Hiking in this area is a straightforward journey through a thick forest filled with deodar and banyan trees. The hike offers the opportunity to witness a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains in all directions, as well as the most breathtaking sunset in the entire mountain range.
Each season has its own unique journey. During the summer, nature comes alive with vivid colors, like Moses on the tree trunks. In addition, you can encounter some of the most elusive types of plants and animals, such as uncommon herbs, medicinal plants, and untamed wilderness.
Tips for Traveling
If you are looking for affordable accommodation near Jalori Pass, there are plenty of homestays available. Additionally, you can also enjoy camping in the beautiful meadows of Jalori Pass. Accessing Jalori Pass is convenient and hassle-free.
Pallavi Thakur authored this post as a contribution to the IndiTales Internship Program.
Here are some other articles you might be interested in:
– Bhuira Jams: A business run by women from the mountains
– Temples from the Pandava era in the Karsog Valley of Himachal
– Must-visit places in Tirthan Valley, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
Comment section:
– Three people have commented on this article.
– This place is highly recommended for those who want to experience the beauty of Indian culture and tradition. After reading your blog, I feel motivated to visit and witness this amazing beauty. Thank you for publishing these types of articles.
It is fascinating to learn about the customs and heritage associated with ghee.
Greetings, Corinne!
I found this blog to be very enjoyable, particularly the captivating tale of Budhi Nagin.
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