Ambaji is the major Shakti piths of Ambe Mata situated in the Banaskantha district of Gujarat State. Ambaji is the seat of Ambe Mata, the mother goddess. Millions of devotees visit the temple every year. Ambaji temple has a golden yantra with 51 shlokas. A triangular Yantra, inscribed with figures and the syllable shree in the center, represents the deity There is no image of Ambaji Mata in temple, people worship the yantra.
About Ambaji Temple in Gujarat :
Ambaji temple is situated at Ambaji town, in the Banaskantha district of Gujarat. The temple, the holy the seat of Ambe Mata – the Mother Goddess, is a popular pilgrim place for Hindus. People of Gujarat take the name of the Goddess in high regard. Ambaji temple is also considered as one of the Shakti Peethas in India. The Goddess is a manifestation of Shiva’s consort, Parvati. Ambe Mata is the Adya Shakti- the primordial female power, the Mother Goddess.
The Navratri celebrations are organized on a large scale in the Ambaji temple. During the festival, a huge fair is organized here every year. People celebrate the occasion with great pomp and show. They sing and dance in praise of the glory of the Goddess. The temple is located on the Arasur hill in the Aravalli Range.The most fascinating feature of the shrine is that it does not contain any idol. It only has a yantra, made of marble which is engraved at a spot.
A large number of devotees throng the Ambaji Temple during Purnima fairs held, on the full moon day, in the months of Kartik, Chaitra and Bhadrapad. A short distance from Ambaji, there is a hill named Gabbar Hill. People believe that the Goddess revealed herself on the hill and left the imprints of Her feet. She is even considered the prime Goddess of the region. This has made the place a pilgrim for the Hindus in the state and outside.
The Legend of Ambaji Temple :
Legend has it that Krishna worshipped Shiva and Ambika at Ambikavana and that Rukmani worshipped Ambika here prior to her marrying Krishna. Legend also has it that the tonsure ceremony of Krishna the child was performed here at Ambaji. Mount Abu or Arbuda is associated with Vasishta, and is believed to have bene home to his hermitage. Nandini, his cow is said to have fallen into a pit, and the river Saraswati is said to have filled the pit with water to enable the cow to come out.
How to Reach:
Ambaji Temple is located at a very helpful location as it is near to almost all the main cities of Gujarat and Rajasthan. It is just 180 kms from Ahmedabad and 45 Kms from Mount Abu. Still if you are planning to come from Delhi then it is at a distance of 700 Kms. The nearest railway station is Abu Road Station in Rajasthan from where Ambaji city is just 20 kms away. The nearest airport is at Ahmedabad.
State: Gujarat
Location: West India
Type of Construction: Medieval
Type of Building: Temple
Dedicated To: Other
Religion: Hinduism