Chandi Mata Temple-

Sagam A shrine gone invisible. But Where is the Temple? Sagam: Sagam is the largest village in the Breng Valley, located on the Anantnag–Kishtwar Highway, about 18 km from Anantnag town. The village is well-known for its historical association with the cultivation of Kamad Rice (Mushk Budji). It falls within the Anantnag district, a region with a rich cultural heritage, once part of the ancient territory of Maraz. Notably, the revered Sufi saint Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani’s mother, ‘SadraMoji’, was from Sagam. Evolution of the Name: One ancient account attributes the village’s name to Shaligrampuri. Another version claims that in the 16th century, a landlord named Sangram resided in the area, and the name Sagam is derived from him.

"मेरे बाद मेरी पुस्तकें ही साधकों का मार्गदर्शन करेंगी" Chandi Mata Temple: In the village of Sagam on the banks of the Trout Nalla lies a small hillock where, since ancient times, two stone sculptures of Mata Chandi have been worshipped by the Pandits of the area. In the 1980s, one of the idols was stolen According to Smt. Jeeta Koul Ji, in earlier times, both idols, each about five feet tall, stood beneath a Khartanch tree. The shrine was open to the sky, supported by wooden pillars and fenced off. After the theft, a local villager had a dream about the stolen idol’s location. The next day, he went to the Khalish River and found it under the bridge. All the villagers joined hands and brought it back in a vehicle. Legends and Beliefs: After this incident, the villagers decided to build a proper temple at the site. However, every time construction started, sudden rains interrupted the work. After many attempts, they finally succeeded in building a beautiful stone temple where both idols were installed. Local tradition says that if it rains continuously for days, villagers perform a Bandara at the shrine to stop the rain. Likewise, during droughts, they carry out the same ritual to ask for rain. Kheer is prepared during that Bandara and distributed as prasad. A fascinating local belief claims that a golden temple lies hidden inside the hillock. According to legend, if someone can dig down seven feet using only their elbow, they may uncover it. Decline of the Shrine: Following the migration of the Kashmiri Pandit community, both idols were stolen again, and the temple was destroyed by miscreants. Today, the hillock has diminished in size, and only the stone plinth of the shrine remains. This sacred place still holds deep spiritual significance. While the temple may be gone physically, its spiritual vibrations can still be felt there, and the same in the hearts of the devotees. It deserves to be rebuilt to restore its former glory. Acknowledgements Special thanks to Jeeta Koul Ji, Maharaj Krishan Raina Ji, Maharaj Krishan Pandit Ji, Brij Nath Bhat Ji, Late Ratan Lal Bhat Ji, and Dimple Koul Ji for their guidance, stories, and efforts in keeping this legacy alive. We invite anyone with memories, stories, or historical knowledge about this temple—especially elders of the community—to share their insights and corrections to help preserve this history. Source: Sagam Village