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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 

For a person brought up in India, it’s not uncommon to have grown up listening to the glorious stories of Lord Krishna. The stories of Krishna, especially the tales of his childhood, make up a significant and beautiful part of Indian culture and history. From books to movies and different kinds of media, these tales are everywhere. However, not many know that there is an art form specialized particularly to depict these tales of Krishna. This is a Pichwai Painting. The central theme of Pichwai Paintings revolves around the stories of experiences of Lord Krishna, majorly from his early years. Although lesser known by its name, Pichwai paintings find their home in galleries and buildings around the world. Let us throw some light on what is Pichwai, how it was born, its modern-day picture and other interesting facts. Keep reading below.

 What is a Pichwai Painting?

Read its Intro & Definition

Pichwai is a Sanskrit word in which ‘pich’ stands for back and ‘wai’ stands for hanging. Pichwai paintings are referred to Mewar-style textile paintings that are found hanging on the walls of temples, houses, art galleries and museums, specifically Nathdwara temple from where they were first originated.

How were Pichwai Paintings born?

Read their History & Origin

Dating back to 400 Years

Although Pichwai is a 400-year old Indian art form, its origins date back even earlier. If you’re of Indian origin, you must have heard the tale of Govardhan at some or the other time in your life. It goes like this.

Once upon a time, Lord Indra under his rage, expressed his anger on the people of Vrindavan in the form of thunder and rains which led to heavy floods in the city. In order to protect his beloved fellows, little kid Krishna, on one of his fingers, lifted the Govardhan mountain as a form of an umbrella.

Discovery of Nathdwara Temple

Around 1400 A.D., an idol of the mountain holder was discovered at a place near Udaipur, Rajasthan. Owing to its significance, the place became highly revered and hence to preserve the moment of history, a temple was constructed here by the Rajputs.

The Beginning of Pichwais

Next, during the 16^th century, not soon after the construction of Nathdwara temple was completed, the local artists began the decorations of the temple. One such decoration came about to be Pichwais. Communities of artists started creating embroidered and painted illustrations of events from Lord Krishna’s life. The velvet cloths were intricately decorated with a hand in threads and embellishments of a royal kind and then hung on the walls of the temple. Soon enough, the lesser known art started attracting artists and art lovers from around the globe. And this is how Pichwais were discovered and found their home in hearts and galleries around the world.

Some More Characteristics of Pichwai Paintings

• Main Character & Themes: As mentioned above, the main character of these paintings is Lord Krishna. However, the themes vary from Lord Krishna childhood tales, Radha Krishna paintings and various festivals celebrating Krishna, like Janmashtami, Govardhan Puja, Sharad Purnima, Holi, Annakut etc.

Due to their cultural and historical significance, Pichwais are used for a variety of purposes including decorations, home interiors, and even to illustrate the tales of Krishna to people who’re illiterate or differently abled.

• Intricate Detailing: The communities of artists creating Pichwai paintings are specially related to Chitron Ki Gali (Street of paintings) and Chitrakaron ka mohallah (colony of painters). A group of artists gather under the guidance of a master or Guru artist. Along with top-of-the-line artists, the process of creating these paintings is quite unique. They aren’t created through regular easel-and-brush technique but rather very intricately stroke by stroke while sitting on the floor. Even the brushes are made of delicate hair of horse, goat, or squirrels. The result, Pichwais are full of intricate embroideries, state-of-the-art gem work and fine detailing.

On a cloth starched and dried, rough figurines are drawn. On top of a velvet and cotton background, the paintings are adorned with traditional style appliqués, zardozi work, gold thread stitches, pearls and gota work. Pink lotuses, peacocks, women, cows, village scenes and nature, are some of the most common subjects of a pichwai painting. Apparently, different timelines of Krishna’s life are depicted.

• Colour Palettes: The colour palette for a Pichwai painting is prepared in such a way that it exudes a fabulously aesthetic touch. A combination of natural and acrylic colours is used including zinc, saffron, coal, noble metals and indigo.

Pichwai Paintings Today

Along the valleys of Aravali hills, amidst the stalls of sizzling Kachoris and sweet rabris, you will find the bustling temple of Nathdwara near Udaipur, Rajasthan. Inside the temple, there are halls where you’ll find artists working delicately on the Pichwai paintings. Near to it, you’ll find stalls of paintings to purchase from. Buy for your living space, keep it as a souvenir or simply take a stroll watching and adoring the magnificent craft of Pichwai!

Shrinathji’s idol was brought to Rajasthan from Govardhana near Vrindavan to protect it from the hands of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb who in 1665 was bent upon vandalizing the area of Vrindavan by widespread destruction of Hindu temples. When the Mughal army came to Govardhana, the devotees of the Lord showed them the titles and gifts given to the temple by the previous Mughal rulers. The army commander then ordered the deity to be taken away from Govardhana. For almost six months the statue stayed in Agra after which the custodians of the idol of Shrinathji left that place with the idol in search of a new heaven.

While several other princes were diffident, it was Maharana Rajsingh of Mewar who dared to provide refuge. The idol went on a journey to Mewar which took 32 months to complete. The decision to settle the Lord here at Nathdwara involves an interesting story. When the wheel of the chariot carrying the Lord got stuck in the mud at a place called Sihar, the Rana saw it as a divine sign that Lord Krishna wished to settle here, and thus a temple was built at this spot and the holy township of Nathdwara grew around the temple

In 1672 Lord Shrinathji was placed in a new Temple built in village Sihad, now called Nathdwara, on the banks of river Banas.

Reference: ShreenathJi Temple , Nathdwara

भारतीय शीर्ष मंदिर के प्रसाद, धार्मिक पुस्तक, इत्र, पिछवाई, ऑनलाइन पंडित एवं पूजा अब घर बैठे प्राप्त कर सकते हैं, जी हां देश के नवयुग द्वारा ही आविष्कार यह स्टार्टअप कंपनी आपको इन सभी सेवाओं का लाभ घर बैठे ही प्राप्त करवाएगी, जिसका उद्घाटन 18 नवंबर 2019, Shreetemple.com स्टार्टअप (भक्ति भाव की आस्था) द्वारा माननीय डॉक्टर सीपी जोशी  (Rajasthan Legislative Assembly Speaker) के हाथों किया गया, जिसके अंतर्गत आप भारत के किसी भी शहर से  यह सेवा प्राप्त कर सकते हैं,  

स्टार्टअप को श्री लालन इकॉमर्स प्राइवेट लिमिटेड कंपनी द्वारा संचालित किया जाता है, जिसमें स्टार्टअप सीईओ रवि बागोरा(इंडियन एंटरप्रेन्योर) है।