Ambaji Temple

Introduction to the Ambaji Temple

The Ambaji Temple or Shri Arasuri Ambaji Temple is in Ambaji city, Banaskantha district, Gujarat. It is on the Gabbar hills of the Aravalli Range. This most revered Temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths in India. It is 1600 feet above sea level.

Devotees ascend 999 steps to reach the Ambaji Temple. Ambaji ropeway service is also available. Udan Khatola built a ropeway at the top of Gabbar hills in 1998.

Legend of the Ambaji Temple

The Ambaji Temple has been worshipped since Vedic times. According to the Markandeya Purana, Sati, the daughter of King Daksha Prajapati, was a great devotee of Shiva and performed intense penance to marry him. Finally, Shiva agreed to marriage. But Daksha was not happy with the marriage.

To insult Shiva, Daksha performed a grand Yagna. He invited all deities except Sati and Shiva. Sati decided to confront her father at the Yagna. Shiva tried to stop her, but Sati went to the Yagna.

King Daksha did not welcome her and insulted Sati and Shiva before the assembly. As Sati was humiliated, she immolated herself in the Yagna fire.

Shiva came to know about it. Enraged, he ordered Veerabhadra to destroy the Yagna and kill Daksha. Veerabhadra, accompanied by Kali and Shiva Ganas, destroyed the Yagna and beheaded Daksha.

Overcome by grief, Shiva carried the burnt corpse of Sati and began to dance the Tandava (dance of destruction). To stop it, Vishnu sent his Sudarshana chakra, which severed Sati's body into many pieces which fell down on earth. The places where her body parts fell are now recognized as Shakti Peeths. Sati's heart is believed to have fallen where the present Ambaji Temple is situated.

The Architecture of the Ambaji Temple

Nagar Brahmins built the Ambaji Temple at first. It is an excellent representation of Indian tradition and culture. Marble stones adorn the entire temple. The carvings of gold cones in the white marble enhance its beauty.

On the top of the temple, a majestic golden Kalash is mounted with the holy flag of Mata Ambaji and Trishul at a height of 103 feet. The Kalash weighs over 3 tonnes and is made of milky white marble. The marble is plated with pure gold. Arasuri Ambaji, the presiding deity, is an incarnation of Parvati.

The silver-plated doors protect the sanctum, which is small with a sprawling Mandap. A unique feature of Ambaji Temple is a Yantra in the place of an idol of Ambaji for worship. This triangular gold-plated, marble Vishwa Sri Yantra is nailed to the wall. Visitors can read some 51 holy Bij letters along with 'Shree' written in the center. Devotees worship this bejeweled Yantra as the deity. It is adorned in special attire to give a close resemblance to Ambaji.

Balyaroop of Ambaji in the morning, Yauvanroop in the afternoon, and Praudhroop in the evening are the three forms of Ambaji worshipped in the temple.

There are two Akhand Jyotis in the Ambaji Temple. Devotees can see one in Chachar Chowk, and the other is on Gabbar Hill. In the evening, the Jyoti is visible from Chanchar Chowk or Gabbar.

The Ambaji Temple takes adequate precautions only to worship the Yantra but not photograph it. Devotees tie their eyes with a white cloth before worshipping the Yantra. According to history, the Ambaji Temple has a strong Tantric background, and the revered Batuk Tantric is associated with this temple.

The Ambaji Temple has beautiful architectural niches. An open square called Chachar Chowk surrounds the temple, where ceremonial sacrifices and other religious events occur.

The temple trust has been operating the Ambaji Temple for over 100 years. It arranges lighting and sound shows to entertain pilgrims and tourists.

Festivals in the Ambaji Temple

The Ambaji Temple celebrates many festivals throughout the year. Some important festivals are Posh Sud Poonam, Chaitra Navratri, Ashwin Sud Navratri, Bhadrapada Poonam Mela, Shravan Vad Amas, and Kartik Sud.