The Ambaji Shaktipeeth temple is dedicated to the mother Goddess Amba Mata. Ambaji Maa Temple is one of India’s holiest and most important Shaktipeeths. It is around 65 kilometres from Palanpur and 45 kilometres from Mount Abu, near the Gujarat-Rajasthan border. The Ambika of Arasur holds an enviable position among Gujarat’s most ancient Saktipeethas.

Ambaji is her popular name in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Millions of worshipers travel to Ambaji each year, making it a significant temple town. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. The majestic Amba Mata deity resides atop the well-known Gabbar hills and is the place’s ruling deity.

The story behind Ambaji Shaktipeeth

The goddess of Dakshayani, Sati, Parvati, or Durga—Hinduism’s most important woman and most powerful deity—is referred to as Shakti. Durga Devi, Mahakali, and Gowri are the three main manifestations of Shakti, the power goddess. She is Adi Shakti’s avatar.

Sati was the Prajapati Daksha’s daughter, and she married Lord Shiva despite Her father’s wishes. Prajapati Daksha once put together a massive yagya, but he didn’t call his daughter and son-in-law. Sati was very saddened by Her father’s actions. When she got there, her father ignored the Sati and insulted her. She could not bear the insult of his husband (Lord Shiva) and she jumped into the fire of Yagya and committed suicide. She passed away, but her body didn’t burn. Lord Shiva had taken His Virabhadra Rupa out of rage. Daksha’s head was cut off by him, but in the end, He forgave him by bringing him back to life.

Lord Shiva, devastated, had taken Sati’s body and wandered the universe. Finally, Lord Vishnu used His Chakra to break Sati’s body into pieces. Each body part transformed into Shakti Pitha. The temple had emerged where the body part had fallen to the ground. In order to safeguard the Shakti Pitha, Lord Shiva created 51 Bhairava for each one.

The Shakta Shaktism sect of Hinduism regards Shri Amba’s shrine as a respected shrine. It is claimed that Sati Devi’s heart has fallen here. The mythology of Daksha yaga and Sati’s self-immolation inspired the Shakti Peetha status temple.

History of Ambaji Shaktipeeth

Ambaji Shaktipeeth is thought to be over a thousand years old and was established during the fourth century by Vallabhbhai king, Suryavansh emperor Arun Sen. The state government has renovated this temple. Gold is also employed in the temple’s reconstruction. 358 gold kalas are set at the temple’s top.

When Lord Rama and Laxman visited Shrungi Rushi’s Ashram in search of Sitaji, they were ordered to worship Devi Ambaji in Gabbar Hills, according to a Ramayana legend. When Rama did, Jagat Mata Shakti Devi Ambaji bestowed upon him a magical arrow known as “Ajay,” which he used to beat and kill Ravana in battle.

Arasuri Amba Bhawani was a dedicated disciple of Maha Rana Pratap, a well-known Mewari Rajput king. Because Mata Arasuri Ambaji had protected him, he pledged and donated his famed sword to Mata Arasuri Ambaji’s holy feet.

The architecture of Ambaji Shaktipeeth

‘Arasuri Ambaji Temple’ is another name for Ambaji Shakti Peeth. It is well-known for its historical and mythological ties to cultural heritage sites. The fundamental aspect of the Ambaji temple is that no idol is set in it. The ‘Sri Yantra’ is worshipped in this temple. This Yantra is worshipped as the temple’s principal deity, yet no one can see it with their own eyes. In front of the Yantra, Akhand Jyoti is illuminated.

The temple’s architecture is beautiful and artistic, and it serves as a wonderful example of Indian tradition and culture. The main Ambaji temple is a small edifice with a huge Mandap and Mata Amba’s precious Gokh in the Garbh. At the temple’s summit, at a majestic height of 103 feet, a gorgeous Kalash is mounted.

The Kalash weighs over three tonnes and is made of a rare form of milky white marble hand-selected from the depths of Arasur mines. The sacred flag of Ambaji Mata and the majestic Trishul are portrayed on the marble, which is entirely covered in pure Swarna (gold).

Sri Asuri Mata Ambaji is said to live within the inner sanctum’s walls in a little Gokh. Her power is said to be contained in the gold-plated Sacred Shakti Yantra, which displays mystical calligraphy in 51 Bij letters. Because of its position, the Yantra is not visible enough to be photographed. The Yantra’s tremendous power is not meant for regular mortals’ eyes, which is why it is put in this area. The temple’s structures are covered in creative decorations, including the Nij Mandir Garbha Griha, Dwar Shakti, Courtyard Shakti, and other sections.

Facts about Ambaji Shaktipeeth

• Ambaji Shaktipeeth is one of the main strengths of Hindus. This temple is situated on the Arasur mountain in the Indian state of Gujarat.
• Ambaji Shaktipeeth temple is a temple of the mother Goddess Amba Mata. It is one of the holiest and major Shaktipeeth of India.
• The Ambaji Shaktipeeth Temple is one of India’s oldest and most revered temples. Since the pre-Vedic era, the location has been considered significant, and it now exhibits amazing marble-cut architecture and silver-plated interiors.
• The majestic Amba Mata deity resides atop the well-known Gabbar hills and is the place’s ruling deity.
• There is no statue or representation of the Goddess in the sacred temple of “Arasuri Ambaji“; instead, the revered “Shree Visa Yantra” is the object of worship.
• Ambaji Shaktipeeth is located on the Gabbar mountain situated in the town where Shraddhaulu climbs 111 steps up to the temple.
• This temple organized a big fair every year on the Bhadravi Purnima. On this day, the temple is decorated like a festival of Diwali.
• The festival of Navratri is celebrated all over Gujarat in reverence of Ambaji, by dancing garba around the Holy Mother.
• For the pleasure of visitors and pilgrims, the Trust has organized an amazing lighting and illumination music performance.
• There is also an Akhand Divo, or Holy Lamp, at Chachar Chowk that has supposedly been blazing since the time of Akheraj, a trader and Mata Ambaji follower, for a long time.

Famous Festivals In Ambaji Shaktipeeth

• Durga Puja. (Winter) – Devotees celebrate Navaratri at this temple in the month of Ashwin (Sep-Oct).
• Navaratri. (Summer) – They celebrate other Navaratri in the fortnight of the Chaitra (March-April). Every nine days they worship Navadurga (nine Durgas).
• Diwali – Diwali is one of the most admired and auspicious festivals in the town.
• Mahashivratri– A grand fair is organized at the temple during the occasion of Maha Shivratri.

How to Reach Ambaji Shaktipeeth

Ambaji Shaktipeeth Temple is situated on the Arasur mountain in the Indian state of Gujarat.

By Air: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad is 179 kilometres away from Ambaji Temple and is the closest major airport from Ahmedabad to Ambaji.

By Railway: There is no railway station in Ambaji, and the nearest one is 22 kilometres away at Abu Road, which is managed by the Indian Railways’ North-Western Railway Zone.

By Roadways: All significant Indian cities are connected to Ambaji by the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) bus station.

Also Read –  Narayani Shaktipeeth