Chichi Mata Temple: The Divine Sentinel of Samba

VIVEK KOUL

- 

Chichi Mata Temple, nestled in the Samba district of Jammu division, is one of the most revered spiritual destinations in the region, drawing thousands of devotees each year.

Considered a significant Shakti Peeth, this temple holds immense religious, historical, and cultural importance for devotees not only in Jammu and Kashmir but also across North India. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Chichi Mata, believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga, symbolizing strength, motherhood, and divine protection. According to local legends and scriptures, the temple is associated with the mythological tale of the dismemberment of Goddess Sati's body. When Lord Shiva carried her charred body across the universe in grief, Lord Vishnu, in order to relieve him from sorrow, used his Sudarshan Chakra to cut Sati's body into pieces. These parts fell at various locations across the Indian subcontinent and are now worshipped as Shakti Peeths. It is believed that the little finger of Goddess Sati fell at this site in Samba, which came to be known as Chichi Mata. The name "Chichi" is derived from the Dogri word for "little finger,” reinforcing the spiritual significance of the place among devotees.