Ambika Bhawani Temple, also known as Maa Ambika Sthan, is a Hindu temple whose presiding deity is Maa Ambika Bhawani, also known as Parvati, Gauri, or Durga. She is the gentle side of Mahadevi, the great Goddess of Hindus. The deity is regarded as the total personification of Adi Parashakti, with all other deities serving as manifestations or incarnations of her. This holy site is located in the city of Aami village in Bihar’s Chapra District. The temple inspired the name of the town.

This is an ancient place of worship. There is a garden near the shrine, as well as a deep and wide well that is always full of water. People believe that the well never runs dry.

Story Behind Ambika Bhawani Temple

According to legend, Raja Surath and Samadhi Vaishya went to the ashram of Medha Muni after becoming dissatisfied with the state of affairs of worldly practices. He advised them to worship the goddess Durga, who rules over the entire universe. Both went to the river and made clay pinds to worship her. Goddess Durga appeared to grant their wishes after responding to their prayer. This is the only location in the country that corresponds to the narration in Durga Saptshati.

History of Ambika Bhawani Temple

According to legend, when Lord Shiva carried the dead body of “Devi Sati” from the holy yagna kund of Daksh Prajapati, the trunk of Sati’s body fell at Ambika Bhawani Mandir in Chapra. This pyre is thought to be still present within the “Ambika Sthan temple” compound. Although the exact date and time of establishment of this Shakti Peeth are unknown, the shrine is mentioned in the Shiv Purana.

The architecture of Ambika Bhawani Temple

The temple is built in the form of a fort that is surrounded on all sides by the Ganga River. It is located in the flood-prone district of Saran, close to the Ganges. The Ganga takes a turn to the south at this point. At this point, the Ganga is represented by Lingvat. The Ganga never reaches the fort, even during a flood. The Temple’s entire structure is built on debris. In 1973 the then Director of the Department of Archaeology of the Government of Bihar Sri Prakash Chandra excavated and found a wall made of bricks used during the Pal dynasty.

In Maa Ambika Sthan, three Shiv temples form an equidistant triangle. Prambika or Ambika is the name given to the triangle’s centre. Surprisingly, the distance between the three Shiva temples (Baidyanath, Vishwanath, and Pashupati Nath) is equal, and if an imaginary line is drawn connecting the three Shiva Temples, it will form an equidistant triangle with Ambika Asthana Ami in the centre.

Facts about Ambika Bhawani Temple

• Aami Mandir is a famous Hindu temple of Maa Durga; located at Ami, Dighwara, Bihar.
• Maa Durga is worshipped here as Maa Ambika Bhawani. So this temple is also known as Maa Ambika Sthan.
• At Ambika Sthan Temple, the idol of the Devi is created with the soil known as “Pinda”.
• Daily the Devi is worshipped by Vedic mantras and holy chants along with several rituals of snana, bhoga distribution and regular aarti offerings.
• Pilgrims primarily visit this site during Navratri, the Ami Mandir’s main festival, in addition to Dusserra, Shiv-Parvathi Vivah, and Shiv Ratri.
• Aside from the regular puja, devotees participate in Jagaran or Jagratha, a bhajan tradition of worshipping Mata Bhawani.
•  Here the idol is in the shape of a vulva with nine pinds.

Famous Festivals In Ambika Bhawani Temple

Millions of people visit this temple every year to celebrate all of the festivals that are held here. Some major festivals held here are

• 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 – Mahashivratri, “The Great Night of Shiva” is the most significant event in India’s Hindu calendar.

How To reach Ambika Bhawani Temple

The temple is located in Ammi Village In Saran District beside the Ganga River.

By Air:  Patna Airport is about 42 km from the temple.

By Rail: Awatarnagar railway station is the nearest railway Station at 3 km from the temple.

By Road: The temple is 9 Km from the Seetalpur Bus Stand.

Also, Read – Mangla Gauri Temple