Continents like Asia and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, offer various experiences and destinations for holistic living. Swaswara, located on Om Beach in Gokarna, is one such place where you can immerse yourself in a holistic lifestyle. If you're looking for accommodation in Shekhawati, Piramal Haveli is a great option to consider. For a luxurious travel experience in the holy city of Pushkar, the Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa is a recommended choice. Experience the vibrant life of Lucknow with a stay at Clarks Awadh. Explore the beautiful Serolsar Lake and discover the legend of Budhi Nagin. In Indian culture, the first ghee made from a cow's milk after giving birth to a calf is considered sacred and is saved for worship. I feel fortunate to have been born into a family that still values the presence of cows in our culture.
Whenever a new calf is born, I have observed both my mother and grandmother engaging in a certain ritual. Intrigued by this tradition, I sought an explanation as to why we collect ghee in a jar and why it is forbidden for anyone to consume from that specific jar. Seeking answers, I approached my grandmother who revealed that the initial ghee obtained from the first milk was collected for a deity known as Budhi Nagin, residing in Serolsar Lake.
The story of Budhi Nagin, also known as Buddi Nagin, begins in the Seraj area of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh. She possessed certain powers bestowed upon her by Durga Maa, a form of Nava Durga. Budhi Nagin eventually got married in the Suket area, which is now referred to as Karsog district in Himachal.
Buddhi Nagin decided to visit the local water territory of the Satluj River. Before leaving, she specifically told her mother not to disturb her sleeping children. In those days, it was common for people to place their babies in baskets made of husks instead of using baby prams.
Her mother became concerned when the children continued to sleep for an extended period of time without waking up. Disregarding the advice given by Budhi Nagin, her mother decided to remove the blanket. To her surprise, she discovered 5-6 snakes hidden within it. Overcome with fear, she hastily grabbed ash from the kitchen and threw it at the snakes. Startled by the ash, the snakes scattered in various directions. It is rumored that they were never seen again after this incident.
Upon Buddha Nagin's return, she was overwhelmed with sadness to discover that her children had left. In response, she made the decision to depart from the village. However, it is worth noting that a revered small stone sculpture continues to be venerated within the home where Buddha Nagin once resided in the Bhiuri village of Karsog.
It is not possible to reconstruct or remodel this tiny house. Budhi Nagin departed from the house and arrived at Serolsar Lake, located near Jalori Pass in the Banjar Valley of the Kullu District in Himachal Pradesh.
According to local beliefs, Buddhi Nagin is considered the mother of Nagdev, who is worshipped as the snake god. The people in the region associate Nagas with Shiva. Each Naga has their own designated area and village named after them, such as Chowasi Nag, Hungru Nag, and Jhakad Nag.
In the villages mentioned, numerous stunning temples are built using the architectural style of Himachal Pradesh. These temples showcase exquisite wooden carvings. Annually, Nag Devtas (snake deities), priests, and villagers gather and traverse their surroundings. The locals express their devotion by making donations to the Nagas in various forms. Additionally, they partake in traditional Himachali dances known as Nati.
The beautiful lake is situated in the middle of enchanting fields. Visitors can delight in the breathtaking sunset and appreciate the panoramic vista of the surrounding mountains.
According to the tale, a snake 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 either heading to Shikari Devi in Mandi or Jalori Jot. These Joginis noticed Buddhi Nagin sitting by the lake and approached her, suggesting that they play a game together.
They underestimated her due to her age and believed it would be easy to defeat her. An agreement was reached that if Budhi Nagin emerged victorious in the game, she would consider this location sacred and if the Joginis won, she would vacate the area.
During the game, one of the girls engaged in dishonest behavior, which caused Buddi Nagin to become extremely furious. As a consequence, she cast a curse upon the girl, transforming her into a permanent small bird. This bird was then given the duty to clean a small body of water and became known as Abhi Chidiya.
After winning the game, Buddi Nagin made the choice to stay in this location permanently. As she was leaving her home, she brought along a small pot. While exploring Serolsar, the pot accidentally slipped from her grasp, resulting in the creation of a lake in that very spot. Thus, the lake came into existence.
The rock that Buddi Nagin was sitting on has been given the name Kala Pathar.
The Pandavas arrived at Serolsar Lake during their period of exile after reaching Jalori Pass. 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 removed her statue from the lake and placed it on the shore. They constructed a small temple for her near the lake, which has undergone several renovations over time. The present temple is the fourth one after being renovated.
At the Budhi Nagin Temple, people have a tradition of offering ghee. Budhi Nagin, the revered mother of all Nag Devtas in the Mandi and Kullu region, had a strong affection for cows. Therefore, visitors to her temple bring ghee as an offering. It is believed that when ghee is poured inside the temple, it magically reaches the center of the lake where Budhi Nagin resides.
Individuals bring large quantities of ghee to both the temple and the lake. Once a year, during specific events, the Nagdevas from the surrounding area come to visit Budhi Nagin. These special occasions are anticipated and determined by the local priests.
During the winter season, the temple is not open to the public because it experiences significant amounts of
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There is a lack of knowledge regarding the exact depth of Serolsar Lake, making it a mysterious aspect of the lake.
Here is another intriguing tale. A Brahmin, accompanied by his family, was enjoying a leisurely walk by the lake when he accidentally fell in. Despite their efforts, his family was unable to rescue him. Surprisingly, after a span of three years, the Brahmin emerged from the lake. He had made a promise to Budhi Nagin, who resided there, to keep their encounter a secret from everyone.
His family persistently inquired about his whereabouts and how he managed to survive. Eventually, Brahmin revealed the truth by explaining that when he fell into the lake, he descended to its depths where he was rescued by Buddi Nagin. Buddi Nagin resides in a magnificent golden palace beneath the lake and is often occupied with the task of churning curd. Brahmin also noticed numerous containers of milk during his encounter.
Once he revealed the truth, he perished. The locals gathered at the lake and witnessed strange occurrences. It was deduced that Buddi Nagin desired for the lake to remain undisturbed and maintained in a pristine condition. True enough, the lake is perpetually clean, with not even a solitary leaf present within its waters.
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Jalori Pass is located in the Banjar Valley of the Kullu district, adjacent to the Suket area of Karsog. This pass serves as a connecting point between the Kullu and Shimla districts and was constructed by the British as a means to reach Kullu.
Jalori Pass is situated at an elevation of 2000 m. During the winter season, it becomes inaccessible as heavy snowfall forces its closure. Banjar Valley, located in the Kullu district, is a unique and less-explored tourist spot.
The Kullu district is split into three primary valleys: Tirthan, Banjar, and Sainj Valley. A scenic route to Jibhi, known as Jalori Pass, offers a picturesque drive surrounded by thick deodar trees.
The district of Anni in Kullu, located towards Shimla from Jalori's pass, is famous for its apple orchards. Visitors can appreciate the picturesque sight of apple orchards during the season.
Are you feeling tired of the hustle and bustle of city life? Reestablish your connection with the natural world by embarking on a hiking adventure in the majestic Himalayas. A stunning trek of approximately 5 kilometers leading to the serene Serolsar Lake, located in the enchanting Jalori Pass, is an ideal choice for you.
Hiking through the dense jungle of deodar and banyan trees is a simple and straightforward experience. The hike offers a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, as well as the opportunity to witness the most awe-inspiring sunset in the mountainous region.
The journey of each season is unique; summer's journey is filled with vibrant colors that stand out on the tree trunks. Additionally, you will come across some of the most uncommon types of plants and animals, such as rare herbs, medicinal plants, and untouched wilderness.
Tips for Travel
You can find numerous affordable homestays in close proximity to Jalori Pass. Additionally, there are camping options available in the meadows of Jalori Pass. It is quite convenient to reach Jalori Pass.
Pallavi Thakur authored this post as a contribution to the IndiTales Internship Program.
Other articles you might be interested in:
– Bhuira Jams: A business run by women from the mountains
– Ancient temples from the Pandava era in Karsog Valley, Himachal
– Recommended places to visit in Tirthan Valley, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
Comments (3):
– This destination is a must-see for those who want to experience the richness of Indian culture and traditions. After reading your blog, I am inspired to visit and witness the breathtaking beauty. Thank you for sharing these kinds of articles.
It is fascinating to learn about the customs and heritage associated with ghee.
Corinne, a female individual
I found this blog to be very enjoyable, particularly the story of Budhi Nagin.
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