The Ambaji Temple is situated on the Arasur Hill, near border of Gujarat and Rajashthan, in Ambaji town, Gujarat. This holy shrine is also known as Arasuri Ambe, one of the 51 Shakti Peetha Tirth and center of Shakti Puja since centuries. There are 12 main Shakti Peetha Tirth, significant places of pilgrimage for the worship of Shakti, namely, Ma Bhagwati Mahakali Maha Shakti at Ujjain, Ma Kamakshi at Kanchipuram, Mata Bramaramba at Srisailam, Shri Kumarika at Kanyakumari, Mataji Ambaji at Gujarat, Mata Mahalaxmidevi at Kolhapur, Devi Lalita at Prayag, Vindhya Vasini at Vindhya, Vishalakshi at Varanasi, Mangalavati at Gaya and Sundari at Bangal & Guhyeshwari Temple in Nepal.
Ambaji Shakti Peeth is one of the main strengths of Hindus. This temple is situated on the Arasur mountain in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is located approximately 65 kilometers from Palanpur, 45 kilometers from Mount Abu, and 20 kilometers from Abu Road and 185 kilometers from Ahmedabad, 50 kilometers from Kadidra near Gujarat and Rajasthan border. Ambaji Shakti Peeth is known as ‘Arasuri Ambaji Temple’. It is known for its historical and mythological connections with sites of cultural heritage.
The main feature of the Ambaji temple is that, no idol of this temple is installed. In this temple, ‘Sri yantra’ is worshiped. This Yantra is worshiped as the main deity of the temple and no one can see this yantra with the naked eyes. Akhand Jyoti is lit in front of the Yantra.
It is believed that this temple is more than twelve hundred years old and that the temple was built by Vallabhbhai ruler, Suryavansh emperor Arun Sen during the fourth century. This temple has been rebuilt by the state government. Gold is also used in the rebuilding of the temple. At the peak of the temple, 358 gold kalas are installed. Ambaji’s main shakti peeth is located on the Gabbar mountain situated in the town. Where Shraddhaulu climbs 111 steps up to the temple. This place is organized big fair every year on the Bhadravi Purnima. On this day, the temple is decorated like a festival of Diwali.
This temple is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths of Mother. According to the Puranas, wherever the pieces of the sati, the clothes or the ornaments held, have fallen, wherever Shaktipeeth came into existence. They are called the most sacred shrines. These shrines are spread across the entire Indian subcontinent.
According to mythology, Goddess Sati gave her life by jumping into the fire of Havan organised by her father King Daksheshwara. When Lord Shiva was running around the earth carrying her body then Lord Vishnu divided the body in 51 parts using his Sudarshan chakra. Out of those 51 parts, from which the ‘Heart’ of Sati fell to this place.
All the festivals are celebrated in Ambaji Shakti Peeth, especially in the festival of Durga Puja and Navaratri, special puja is organized. During these festivals, some people keep fasting (do not eat food) as a respect and dedication to God’s worship. In the days of the festival, the temple is decorated with flowers and lights. The spiritual atmosphere of the temple provides peace to the heart and mind of the devotees.
Ambaji Temple is key shrine of goddess, worshiped from pre Vedic period. As per the Markandeya Puran, Sati, daughter of King Daksh Prajapati, was great devotee of Lord Shiva and did intense penance to please Lord Shiva. Finally Lord Shiva had accepted her hand for marriage. But King Daksha was not happy with this marriage.
विद्या त्वमेव ननु बुद्धिमतां नराणां शक्तिस्त्वमेव किल शक्तिमतां सदैव । त्वं कीर्तिकान्तिकमलामलतुष्टिरूपा मुक्तिप्रदा विरतिरेव मनुष्यलोके ॥
To insult Lord Shiva, Daksha held Yagya and invited all God and reputed persons except the Sati and Lord Shiva. Sati had decided to confront her father at Yagya. Lord Shiva tried to stop her by doing this but Sati went to Yagya.
King Daksh did not welcomed her and use this occasion to insult her and Lord Shiva in front of all God and reputed individuals. Sati could not bear this humiliation and jumped into holy pyre of the Yagya.
Once Lord Shiva got this information; he was deeply pain and anger on Daksh. Lord Shiva had created Virbhadra and Bhadrakali with extra ordinary super power and order to kill Daksh and his army. Then Lord Shiva picked up Sati with burning body and unleashed his fury in form of legendary Tandava, dance of destruction. The other God and people started worried about safety of whole universe and requested Lord Vishnu the supreme Lord, to help out in this situation.
Lord Vishnu used the Sudarashan Chakra and cut the body of Ma Devi Sati in pieces. As per the legends, Sati’s heart fell over spot marked by Ambaji Temple. Thus this temple is one of the main Shaki Peeth and Siddh Peeth across 51 Shakti Peeth.
Worship of Vishwa Yantra at Amabji Temple
Another important note of this temple is, there is no idol or photo of Ma Devi Ambe but it has Yantra. There is a Gokh -cave in the wall on which gold plated marble inscription of a triangle Vishwa Yantra is fixed. It is copper plate with Vedic text on sacred geometry inscribed on with figures and Shree is written in the center. This Vishwa Yantra represents the deity in temple. This Vishwa Yantra is decked up with ornaments and special attire in a way that the ensemble resembles Goddess Ma Ambe.
Unknown facts about Ambaji Temple
Other unknown facts about the temple and rituals followed are, in the morning, Balyaroop of Ma Ambe is worshipped with Bal Bhog as Prasad. In the afternoon at 12 PM, Yauvanroop is worshiped with Rajbhog Prasad in gold thal and in evening Praudhroop is worshiped with Sayanbhog.
Amabji Temple is the only temple in the world where every day the different vahan is used 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 of Saturday are used as Savari or Vahan or rider of Ma Devi Ambe. . Four Bhattji families have been assigned to worship as Pujari in Ambaji Temple. Every year different family takes the charge as main Pujari in Temple from April to March.
Akhand Jyot – Holy lamp, is placed in Chanchar Chowk from many years and other Akhand Jyot is placed on Gabbar Hill in same line. Devotee can see both the Jyot in line in the evening from Chanchar Chowk or Gabbar.
Ambaji temple has undergone renovation in several phases; old structure has been replaced with carved marble under guidance of expert Sompura Community. The inner part of temple is remaining untouched and retain in original form.
Special Time to Visit Ambaji Temple
During the Navratri of Ashwin Month, the Garba is celebrated in Chanchar Chak in temple campus and devotee across Gujarat performed Garba through the night.Lots of Devotee came here for blessing of Ma Devi Ambe during Chaitra Navratri and Ashwini Navratri.
Special four day fair arranged on every year on the full moon night of Bhadrapad. Lots of devotee come here on feet across the nation, more than 800 Sanghas visit every year during this period and received blessing of Ma Ambe.Thousand of devotee visited Amabji Temple every day and specially on full moon of Kartik, Chaitra, Asho and Bhadrapad. Along with worship, devotee can participate in Nav Chandi Yagya in the temple campus. Read More