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Gujarat Shree Ambaji Mandir
Location | |
Country: | India |
State: | Gujarat |
District: | Banaskantha |
Location: | Arasur, Banaskantha district |
Elevation: | 61 m (200 ft) |
Architecture and culture | |
Primary deity: | Ambaji Mata (Shakti) |
Architectural styles: | Hindu |
History | |
Date built: | unknown |
(Current structure) | |
Creator: | unknown |
Temple board: | Shri Arasuri Ambaji Mata Devasthan Trust (SAAMDT), 1963 |
Website: | http://www.ambajitemple.in/ |
Ambaji is the temple located in the census town that is part of Banaskantha district in Gujarat in India. Number of devotees comes to visit this temple every year since this temple is part of the 51 shaktipeethas.
The location of the temple is at a distance of 65 km from Palanpur, Mount Abu is 45 km and a distance of 20 km of Abu Road. This is located on the boder of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Maharaja Shivaji visited this temple to take the blessings of Mata Amba after he won the war.
The main idol of Ambaji is located in the temple that is on the top of Gabbar hill. This temple is visited throughout the year but is most worshipped on the day of Purnima. A big fest happens Bhadarvi Purnima also called as full moon day. This day happens in the month of July.
A special rathyatra is organized every year. This yatra includes four raths that are ornated beautifully and carry the idol of Mata Ambaji on the rath made of silver. This is the occasion celebrated on the day of dussehra and is very pleasing to the eyes. The raths are decorated with flowers, garlands and the idols of goddess all dressed uo in silver color. The other festivals that are celebrated with all pomp and show in the temple are Navratra, Sahastrachandi yagna, Shreebhog, ChosathKhand, Navchandi Yagna, Annakut and diyadarshan.
History
The temple of Ambaji belongs to the ancient 51 Shakti Peetha. The 12 major Shakti Peeth that form the part of Tirth are Ma Kamakshi at Kanchipuram, ShriKumarika at Kanyakumari, Mata Mahalaxmidevi at Kolhapur, Vindhya Vasini at Vindhya, Mangalavati at Gaya, Guhyeshwari in Nepal, Ma Bhagwati Mahakali Maha Shakti at Ujjain, Mata Bramaramba at Srisailam, Mataji Ambaji at Anart gujarat, Devi Lalita at Prayag, Vishalakshi at Varanasi and Sundari at Bengal.
The temple doesn’t contain any scripture of any deity but this has a Visa Shree Yantra in the cave that is worshipped by the devotees but only after they tie a bandage in their eyes so that they can’t see the Yantra. No pictures of the Visa Shree Yantra are available and it is believed no one will ever be able to take any picture of this.
There is a hill that is located on the boundaries of Gujarat and Rajasthan and is named as Gabbar Hill and in its near vicinity flows the sacred Sarawati River along the path of Arasur hills in the forest that is on the south-west of Aravalli hills and is among the 51 Shakti Peeths and as per the old beliefs that the Dead Sati heart fell on this hill top as described in the “Tantra Chudamani”. A holy temple stands on the top of the Gabbar hill and one has to climb 999 steps to worship in the temple. This temple is on the western side of the Gabbar hill and a Holy lamp is always lightened there throughout day and night and the lamp is placed such that it faces the Visa Shree Yantra that is part of Nij Mandir in the Mata Shri Arasuri Ambica. There are many other places one can visit on theior visit to this hill and the other activities are the sunset point, the ropeway trip to Mataji caves. This temple is believed to be built in 4th century AD by the ruler of Vallabhi named Suriyavans Emperor Arun Sen.
How to Reach
By Rail
The rail line closest to reach Ambaji is in Palanpur at the distance of 60 km from Ambaji. Taxi and cabs can be hired to reach from railway station to Ambaji.
By Air
Ahmedabad is the nearest airport to reach Surat and is at a distance of 179 km from here.
By Road
Reaching via road from Ahmedabad to Ambaji is a distance of 179 kms. Local buses and taxes ply to and fro from these places.
Weather and Time to Visit
The best time to visit the temple is in the months from October to April.
Accomodation
There are many luxury and budgeted hotels, dharamshalas and guest houses located around the temple. The dharamshalas are very well furnished and the guests are served with traditional Gujarati foods.
Photo Gallery