Ramneek Sharma
Introduction – Nabha Mata Shaktipeeth is situated in Dansal tehsil of Jammu district. Its route lies near Jindrah on the Jammu-Srinagar highway, passing through Domel on the right side while going to Srinagar.
It is situated at a distance of about 50 km from Jammu. It is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths. The navel of Mata Sati had fallen here. Hence, this Shaktipeeth is known as Nabha Mata.
History and belief – According to the Puranas, Shrimad Bhagwat Katha, and Mahabharata stories, King Daksh Prajapati had performed a yagya. In this, he did not invite his daughter Sati and son-in-law Lord Shankar, but he invited his other daughters and all his sons-in-law. When Sati saw the gods sitting in the plane and going into the sky, she asked Lord Shiva where all these gods were going. Lord Shiva replied that Daksh Prajapati is conducting the Yagya, and these gods are going there. She said to Lord Shiva that there is such a big celebration at my father’s house, so should I go to see it? Lord Shiva said that he had not sent the invitation. O Sati, King Daksh has invited everyone else, and he has not invited only you. Lord Shiva said to Sati that if you go without being invited, then there will be no modesty, affection, and dignity. But She was constrained by the attachment of her maid and the rules of the law, so she did not listen to Lord Shiva and went to perform the Yagya. His father Daksh turned his face away after seeing him and did not even ask about his well-being.
Sati could not see Lord Shiva’s part in the Yagya. Seeing her husband’s insult, Sati became angry and dedicated her body to the sacrificial fire. Then Shankar ji assumed a terrible form and started roaming around the world carrying Mother Sati. During this time,The divinities called upon the god Vishnu to restore Shiva to normalcy and calm. Vishnu used his Sudarshana Chakra to dismember Sati’s cadaver, following which Shiva regained his equanimity. The legend ends with Sati’s body being dismembered into 51 parts that fell on the earth, wherever these parts fell that portion of earth assumed the status of a Shaktipeeth.
It is said that a part of Sati’s navel had fallen here. Hence, this place is famous by the name of Nabha Mata. Holy water keeps falling naturally here for 12 months. Many diseases are cured by this water. People who have faith in this place take this holy water home. There is a cave in the shape of Sheshnag here, and the serpent god can also be seen. This natural cave is a center of spirituality. By coming here, one attains mental peace. Such a power resides here, which forces everyone to think and attracts everyone upon coming back. The local people and Indian Army soldiers have great faith in this Shaktipeeth. Here, the wishes of many devotees are fulfilled. I request all the readers that all of you should come to this Shaktipeeth and get the blessings of Mother Goddess. May the Mother Goddess fulfill everyone’s wishes, Jai Nabha Mata.