Ma Ambe Archives

22/Jul/2022

Geography:

Ambaji Mata Temple situated at Ambaji a town within taluka Danta of District Banaskantha, North Gujrat, at an altitude of 480 meters. It surrounded by Aravalli Hill Range. Ambaji is within the Aravalli Range literally means ‘line of peaks’, a range of mountains in western India running approximately 800 km in a North Eastern direction across the Indian states of Gujrat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi. It also called Mewat hills locally. Ambaji town is also in between the borders of North Gujrat and Abu Road of Rajasthan.

The Ambaji Mata Temple:

It is one of the 51 shakti peethas. Ambaji Mata Temple is a major shakti peeth of India. Millions of devotees visit the temple every year. It situated at a distance of approximately 65 kilometers from Palanpur, 45 kilometers from Mount Abu, and 185 Kilometers from Ahmadabad, 50 kilometers from Kadiyadra near the Gujrat and Rajasthan border.

In the holy temple of ‘Arasuri Ambaji”, there is no image or statue of the goddess the holy “Shree Vishwa Yantra” which worshiped as the main deity. No one can see the Yantra with a naked eye. Photography of the yantra not allowed.

The original seat of Ambaji Mata on a Gabbar hilltop in the town. A large number of devotees visit the temple every year, especially on Purnima days. A large mela on Bhadarvi Purnima (full moon day) held. Every year from all over the country people come here walking all over from their native place just to worship Maa Ambe in September. The whole Ambaji lighted up as the whole nation lighted up in the festival of Dewali.

Myth:

The shrine of Amba regarded as a major Shrine by the Shakta (Shaktism) religious sect of Hinduism.

A long time ago in Satya Yuga, Sati, wife of Lord Shiva, daughter of Daksha, immolated herself in protest of her husband Shiva’s insult by her father. Lord Shiva shocked by the incident and in anger, he kept the dead body of Sati on his shoulder and started the dance of destruction, and started moving towards the East. Watching his devastating attitude Bramha and the other Gods became worried.

They worried that the universe may be destroyed. They knew that the body of Sati on the shoulder of Lord Shiva would not decompose so long it remained in touch with Shiva’s body. But it important to detach the body of Sati from that of Siva to bring Lord Siva out of such a great shock and avoided the catastrophe of the universe. They knew what to do but they were not sure how to do it.

They then approached Lord Bishnu. After a long discussion, they decided that Lords Bramha, Bishnu, and Shani would utilize their power of Yoga to chop the body of Sati into pieces and throw those parts of the body into the universe to establish Shaktipeeths. They executed the plan. The destruction of the universe averted.

It believed that the heart of Sati Devi fallen here. The Shakti peethas mostly worshiped by tantra practitioners. Each Shakti Peetha has a Kalabhairva shrine associated with it, the Kalabhairva of the Amba Mata Temple is Batuk Bhairav.

Ambaji is one of the 51 ancient Shakti Peeth Tirtha in India. there are 12 main Shakti Peeth Tirtha, significant places of pilgrimage for the worship of shakti, namely, Ma Bhagavati Maha Kali Maha Shakti at Ujjain, Ma Kamakshi at Kanchipuram, Mata Bramaramba at Srisailam, Shri Kumarika at Kanyakumari, Mataji Ambaji at Anar Gujrat, Mata Mahalaxmidevi at Kolhapur, Devi Lolita at Prayag, Vindya Vasini at Vindya, Vishalakshi at Varanasi, Mangalavati at Gaya and Sundari at Tripura and Guhyeshwari Temple at Nepal.

Ma Ambe Temple Night View — Ambaji Mata Temple at Night

What is amazingly different in Ambaji Mata Temple:

There is no idol or picture in the Ambaji Mata Temple but a simple cave-like Gokh on the inner wall in which a gold-Plated Holy Shakti Vishwa Shree Yantra having Kurma back (convex shape) and 51 Bij letter (Vedic Text) therein, connected with that of the original yantras of Nepal and Ujjain shakti peeths, also ritually and can be visible for worshipping. This Vishwa Yantra decked up with ornaments and special attire in a way that the ensemble resembles Goddess Ma Ambe.

The deity never be photographed in past nor can be done in the future. The worship of this Vishwa Shree Yantra done only after tying a bandage on the eyes.

Ambaji Mata Temple worship Ma Ambaji following some unique ritual. Balyaroop of Ma Ambe worshipped with Bal Bhog as Prasad, in the morning. Yauvanroop worshiped with Rajbhog Prasad in gold thali, in the afternoon at 12 PM, and Praudhroop worshiped with Sayanbhog, in the evening.

The other unique ritual followed in Ambaji Mata Temple that every day the different vahan deployed as savari of Ma Devi Ambe. Tiger on Sunday, Nandi on Monday, Lion on Tuesday, Aairavat on Wednesday, Garudjee on Thursday, Hans on Friday, and Elephant on Saturday used as Savari or Vahan or rider of Ma Devi Ambe. Four Bhattji families engaged as Pujari in Ambaji Temple.

Every year different family takes the charge as the main Pujari in Temple from April to March.

Akhand Jyoti – Holy lamp, placed in Chanchar Chowk for many years and other Akhand Jyot placed on Gabbar Hill in the same line. Devotees can see both the Jyoti in line in the evening from Chanchar Chowk or Gabbar.

Ambaji Mata Temple undergone rebuilding and renovation several times; the old structure replaced with carved marble under the guidance of expert Sompura Community. The inner part of the temple is remaining unchanged and retained in its originality.

During the Navratri of Ashwin Month, the Garba celebrated in Chanchar Chak on the temple campus, and devotees across Gujarat performed Garba throughout the night. Lots of Devotees come here for the blessing of Ma Devi Ambe during Chaitra Navratri and Ashwini Navratri.

A special four-day fair arranged every year on the full moon night of Bhadrapad. Lots of devotees come here on their feet across the nation, more than 800 Sanghas visit every year during this period and received the blessing of Ma Ambe.

Thousands of devotees visited Amabji MataTemple every day and especially on the full moon of Kartik, Chaitra, Ashar, and Bhadrapad. Along with worship, a devotee can participate in Nav Chandi Yagya on the temple campus.

Dance performance in front of Ambaji Temple

Amabji MataTemple Timings:

Aarti Timings: Morning 07.00 to 7.30, Evening 19.00 to 19.30

Darshan Timings: Morning 07.30 to 11.30, Afternoon 12.30 to 16.30, Evening 19.30 to 21.00

Some Important Places to Visit nearby to Amabji MataTemple:

Gabbar Hill:

Gabbar Hill near to the Temple — Original seat of Ambaji mata – Gabbar Hilltop

The original seat of Ambaji mata is on the Gabbar hilltop in the town. Gabbar is actually the Fifty-first (51) famous Shakti Piths and it is the original holy shrine of Mata Ambaji, where the piece of the heart of the dead body of Devi Sati fell. The place of residence of the Mata Mahishasur-Mardini.

On the flat top of the hill, there is a small cavity facing the temple of Ambaji. A lamp kept there constantly burning. That can be seen from the main Amabji MataTemple at night.

As believed, footprints of the Goddess under a pipal tree there and the footprints worshipped.

A ropeway on the mountain of Gabbar installed for easy climbing on the top for the pilgrims who can visit and enjoy the beauty and holiness of Gabbar with ease and joy. Steps are also there for climbing on foot which is approximately 1000 in number. Watching the sunset from the hilltop can be an additional enjoying experience.

Mansarivar:

Important Place to watch near Ambaji Mata Temple- Mansarivar — Mansarivar

Mansarivar is behind the main Ambaji Mata Temple. It said to have been constructed by Shri Tapishanker, a Nager Devotee of Ambaji from Ahmedabad, from the year 1584 to 1594. There are two temples on two sides of this holy tank, one is of Mahadev and another is Ajay Devi, who is believed to be the sister of Mata Ambaji.

Kumbhariya Jain Temple:

Place to visit near Ambaji Mata Temple- Kumbharia Jain Temple — Kumbharia Jain Temple

The Kumbhariya Jain Temple situated one and a half kilometers away from ambaji town. It is a historical Jain temple of Shri Nemi Nath Bhagavan which dates back to the 13th century. The Kumbhariya Jain Temple of Nemi Nath Bhagawan. Is now a heritage center in Gujarat. The beautiful carving on the wall it’s the main attraction of the temple.

Kumbheshawar Mahadev Temple:

•Kumbheshawar Mahadev Temple, place to watch near Ma Ambe Temple — Kumbheshawar Mahadev Temple

Kumbheshawar Mahadev Temple is known for its architectural brilliance with the sacred idol of Ling of Ashutosh gracing devotees. The temple is also known for its unique construction based upon the principles of Vaastu Shastra. Jaladhari and Shivlinga are two other idols that are made of marble.

Kailash Tekari

Kailash Tekari – one and a half kilometers away from Ambaji on Khedbrahma Highway, there is a beautiful Shivalaya on the hill named “Kailash Tekari” where one can go only by climbing the steps and walking in a wonderful hilly area of Kailash Tekari. Exploring Kailash Tekari is always a pleasant experience for visitors, along with its beautiful Sunset Point.

Mangalya Van :

Mangalya Van, a unique garden nearby to Kailash Tekari that is of late drawing the attention of tourists. One has to climb steps to reach Kailash Tekari and Mangalya Van, which is also surrounded by water bodies.

Shri Koteswar Mahadev:

Shri Koteswar Mahadev Temple near Ambaji Temple — Shri Koteswar Mahadev

Eight kilometers away from Ambaji Mata Temple near the Origin of the Vedic Virgin River Saraswati, there is an ancient temple of Shri Koteshwar Mahadev. A holy Kund is there beside the temple. The flows of river Saraswati from the Mouth of Cow (Gaumukh) incurved in a rock.

Kamakshidevi Temple:

One kilometer away from Ambaji near Kumbharia Jain Temple on Khedbrahma Highway, there is a modern architect of Kamakshidevi Temple Complex, where all the 51 Shakti Pith, the center of cosmic power is reconstructed and installed in a single complex so as to give total information to the visitors and devotees of the great Shakti Sampraday about the various incarnations of Adhya Shakti Mata.

Richhadia Mahadev:

About one kilometer away from Kumbharia Jain Temple, in the beautiful surroundings with a Dam Site, there is also an ancient Shivalay Richhadia Mahadev which is on the bank of Astakoni Vav, known for its wonderful piece of Architect.

Someshwar Mahadev:

Nearly one kilometer away from Kumbharia Jain Temple in the village named Jetwas, Danta Taluka, there is an ancient holy place of Someshawar Mahadev which is also on the bank of a water spring.