Continents like Asia and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, are known for their diverse cultures and lifestyles. One particular place to experience holistic living is Swaswara, located on Om Beach in Gokarna. If you're looking for accommodation in Shekhawati, Piramal Haveli is a great option to consider. For a luxurious travel experience in the pilgrimage city of Pushkar, the Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa is a top choice. Immerse yourself in the vibrant Lucknow life by staying at Clarks Awadh. A popular destination is Serolsar Lake, known for its legend of Budhi Nagin. In Indian households, it is customary to save the first ghee made from a cow's milk for worship, as it is considered auspicious. Growing up in a family that values cows as part of our culture, I feel blessed.
Whenever a new calf is born, I have noticed my mother and grandmother performing a certain ritual. I was intrigued and wanted to understand the reason behind collecting ghee in a jar and prohibiting anyone from consuming it. To find my answer, I approached my grandmother. It was then that she informed me that the ghee made from the first milk was gathered specifically for Budhi Nagin in Serolsar Lake.
The story of Buddi Nagin, also known as Budhi Nagin, originates from the Seraj region in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. She possessed certain abilities bestowed upon her by Durga Maa, a form of the goddess Nava Durga. Buddi Nagin later got married in the Suket area, which is now known as Karsog district in Himachal Pradesh.
Buddhi Nagin decided to visit a local water territory near the Satluj River. Before leaving, she told her mother not to disturb her sleeping children who were resting in a basket made of husks in the kitchen. It was a common practice for people to place their infants in husk baskets before baby prams became popular.
Eventually, the mother became concerned because the children had been sleeping for an extended period of time without waking up. Despite the warnings from Budhi Nagin, the mother disregarded them and decided to remove the blanket. To her surprise, she discovered 5-6 snakes nestled within it. Filled with fear, she quickly grabbed some ash from the kitchen and threw it at the snakes, causing them to scatter in various directions. It is believed that the incident was soon forgotten.
Upon Buddha Nagin's return, she was filled with sadness upon discovering that her children had left. Overwhelmed by her emotions, she made the decision to depart from the village. In the Bhiuri village of Karsog, there remains a revered small stone statue in the house where Buddha Nagin once resided.
The house in question is in such a state that it cannot be reconstructed or refurbished. Budhi Nagin decided to leave the house and made his way to Serolsar Lake, which is located near Jalori Pass in the Banjar Valley of Kullu District in Himachal Pradesh.
The people in the area worship Buddhi Nagin, who is considered to be the mother of Nagdev, the deity associated with snakes. The locals 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.
These villages have numerous stunning temples built in the traditional style of Himachali architecture. These temples are adorned with exquisite wooden carvings. Annually, the Nag Devtas (snake deities), priests, and villagers in the area participate in a procession. People generously donate to the Nagas in various ways. Additionally, they partake in local traditional dances native to Himachal Pradesh known as Nati.
The mesmerizing meadows surround the lake, which is situated at its center. Visitors can delight in witnessing the breathtaking sunset and appreciate the panoramic view of the surrounding mountains from every angle.
According to the tale, there was a serpent named Buddhi Nagin who arrived at Serolsar Lake and settled on a large rock. Around 60 young girls known as Joginis or Yoginis, some of whom were heading towards Shikari Devi in Mandi and others to Jalori Jot, noticed Buddhi Nagin sitting at Serolsar Lake. The Joginis approached her and suggested playing a game together.
The individuals believed that they could easily conquer her due to her age. A decision was made that if Budhi Nagin emerged as the victor in the game, she would acknowledge this location as her sacred place. Conversely, if the Joginis were to win, she would depart from this area.
During the game, one of the girls engaged in dishonest behavior, which greatly angered Buddi Nagin. As a consequence, Buddi Nagin placed a curse on her, transforming her into a perpetually small bird and assigning her the duty of cleaning a small body of water. This transformed bird is now referred to as Abhi Chidiya.
After emerging victorious in the game, Buddi Nagin made the decision to make this place her permanent residence. She had brought along a small pot with her from home. While exploring the Serolsar area, the pot accidentally slipped from her grasp, resulting in the formation of a lake at that very spot. Thus, the lake came into existence.
The rock where Buddi Nagin was seated is currently referred to as Kala Pathar.
The Pandavas, while in exile and on their way to the Jalori Pass, arrived at Serolsar Lake. They decided to cultivate rice in the vicinity of the lake. According to the tale, Buddi Nagin appeared before them and then returned to the lake.
The Pandavas retrieved the Murti of the goddess from the lake and placed it outside of the water. They constructed a small temple for her on the shores of the lake. Over the years, the temple has undergone several renovations. The present temple is the fourth one built after the renovations.
At the Budhi Nagin Temple, people have the tradition of offering ghee. Budhi Nagin, who is considered the mother of all Nag Devta in the Mandi and Kullu region, had a great love for cows. Hence, when visitors come to her temple, they bring ghee as an offering. 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 carry several kilograms of ghee to both the temple and the lake. Once a year, all the Nagdevas from the surrounding area come to visit Budhi Nagin during specific events. These special occasions are determined and forecasted by the local priests.
During the winter season, the temple is not accessible to visitors because it is closed as a result
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There is an air of mystery surrounding Serolsar Lake, as its exact depth remains unknown.
Here is an intriguing tale filled with mystery. A Brahmin and his family were leisurely walking near a lake when he accidentally fell into the water. Despite their efforts, his family was unable to rescue him. Surprisingly, after a span of three years, the Brahmin returned from the lake. It turns out that during his time there, he made a promise to Budhi Nagin, a mysterious entity, not to disclose her existence to anyone.
His family 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 its depths where he was rescued by Buddi Nagin. According to him, she resides in a magnificent golden palace beneath the lake's surface. He also noticed numerous containers of milk in her abode, where she was known to churn curd.
After he revealed the truth, he passed away. The local residents arrived at the lake and noticed strange occurrences taking place. It was deduced that Buddi Nagin desired for the lake to remain undisturbed and maintained in a pristine condition. In reality, the lake is consistently clean, devoid of even a solitary leaf within its waters.
Discover the enchanting beauty of India's most stunning lakes by reading more about
Jalori Pass is located in the Banjar Valley of the Kullu district, adjacent to the Suket area of Karsog. It 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 m. It becomes inaccessible during the winter season as a result of the significant amount of snowfall it receives. Banjar Valley, located in the Kullu district, is considered a less crowded and unique option for tourists to explore.
The Kullu district is split into three primary valleys known as Tirthan, Banjar, and Sainj Valley. The journey to Jibhi through Jalori Pass is a scenic drive that is adorned with thick deodar trees.
The region of Anni in Kullu, located between Jalori's pass and Shimla, is famous for its apple orchards. When the season is right, visitors can delight in the stunning sight of these apple orchards.
Do you feel tired of living in the city? Rediscover your connection with nature by embarking on a hiking adventure in the stunning Himalayas. You can enjoy a picturesque 5 km hike to reach the serene Serolsar Lake located in Jalori Pass. It is an ideal destination for those seeking a break from urban life.
Hiking in this area is a simple and straightforward experience, consisting of walking in a dense forest filled with deodar and banyan trees. The hike offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and an exceptionally beautiful sunset in the mountainous region.
Each season has its own unique path to follow. During the summer, the path is filled with vibrant colors, like the bright hues of moss on tree trunks. Along this path, you may also encounter some of the most uncommon types of plants and animals, such as rare herbs, medicinal plants, and wild creatures.
Tips for Travel
If you're looking for affordable accommodations near Jalori Pass, there are plenty of homestays available. Additionally, you can also choose to camp in the beautiful meadows of Jalori Pass. The pass itself is easily reachable and accessible.
Pallavi Thakur wrote this post as a contribution to the IndiTales Internship Program.
Other articles you may enjoy:
– Bhuira Jams: A business run by women from the mountains
– Temples from the Pandava Era in the Karsog Valley of Himachal
– Recommended places to visit in Tirthan Valley, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
Commentary:
This destination is a must-see for those interested in experiencing the richness of Indian culture and traditions. After reading your blog, I am inspired and motivated to visit and witness the incredible beauty myself. Thank you for continuously publishing articles like these.
It is fascinating to learn about the customs and heritage associated with ghee.
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I found this blog to be very enjoyable, particularly the story of Budhi Nagin.
Please refrain from leaving a comment. Remember to save my personal information for future use when I want to leave a comment.
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