Ambaji Temple, Ambaji, Gujarat India

 Maa Amba Bhavani Temple or Ambaji Mata Temple is one of the major Shakti Peeths of India. This temple is located 65 km from Palanpur and 45 km from Mount Abu. It is also known as the Arasuri Ambaji temple or the Ambaji Mata Temple. The temple does not have an idol or image of the goddess. The presiding deity of the temple is worshipped as Shree Visa Yantra, which cannot be seen with the naked eyes. Photography of this yantra is also prohibited in this temple. A large number of pilgrims gather in the temple to worship the deity, especially during the Purnima. Bhadarvi Purnima is an auspicious day, when a huge mela is organised at this temple to worship Maa Amba Bhavani.

Ambaji is an important temple town with millions of devotees visiting the Ambaji temple every year. It is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths. The full moon of Bhadrapad is one of the four most important festival days of the year, when farmers and agriculturists come to Ambaji.

The Ambaji shrine is the principal shrine of the goddess in Gujarat and its origins are still unknown. The original seat of Ambaji mata is on gabbar hilltop in the town. The Temple of Ambaji is recognized as one of the original Shakti Pithas (religious texts) where, according to the ancient Scriptures, the heart of the goddess Ambaji fell to earth when her body was dismembered. A triangular Vishwa Yantra, inscribed with figures and the syllable 'Shree' in the centre, represents the deity. There is no idol, which in fact testifies the temple's antiquity. Idol worship became popular much later.

During Bhadarvi Poonam (in September), a big Religious Fair is organized at Ambaji by Shri. Arasuri Ambaji Mata Devasthan Trust, with the help of the whole District Administration. More than 17 to 20 lakhs of pedesterian pilgrims and tourists attend this Bhadarvi Fair of Ambaji every year.

A glorious shrine at the foothills of Aravalli mountain ranges, Ambaji Mata temple is the main reason to be in this town. Certainly, it is one of the most esteemed and popular destinations in the state of Gujarat. Supposed to be one among the shakti peeths, Ambaji temple exhibits premium craftsmanship in its structural design. The temple is situated on a small hill known as the Gabbar hill and is placed about 4km away from the Ambaji village on the Gujarat-Rajasthan border. It is said that this hill is the actual seat of Ambaji Mata. According to the myth described in the 'Tantra Chudamani', among all the pieces of the body, the heart from the body of Devi Sati fell on top of this knoll. To reach the temple, one needs to climb 999 steps of the hill. From the top of the hill, the sunset looks just amazing. It is a wonderful experience in itself and one must visit this place.

Pilgrims from all regions in Gujarat visit Ambaji chanting their way ‘Bol mari Ambe, jai jai Ambe.’ The ll-km-long Trishulia Ghat route towards Ambaji town is decorated with festoons, flags and colorful lights. On the way, all the roads leading to Ambaji from different regions are found with walking pilgrims, singing and dancing with chants of Amba mata. On the way are refreshment stalls and rest houses set up by donators.

Ambaji Mata temple is a major Shakti Peeth of India. It is situated at a distance of approximately 65 kilometres from Palanpur, 45 kilometres from Mount Abu and 20 kilometres from Abu Road near the Gujarat and Rajasthan border.

The original seat of Ambaji mata is on gabbar hilltop in the town. The inner sanctum of the temple has silver-plated doors. There is a gokh, or niche, in the wall on which is fixed a old-plated marble inscription of the Viso Yantra, a Vedic text on sacred geometry, which is the main focus of worship. There is no idol of the goddess, perhaps because the temple is so ancient that it predates idol-worship, but the priests decorate the upper portion of the gokh in such a way that it looks like an idol of a goddess from a distance.