Ambika Devi Mandir, Ambala, Haryana India

Ambala draws ita name from an old temple as well as now virtually extinct mango groves. Ambika Devi Mandir, which is considered to be one of the oldest temples here, is located in Ambala city. The temple is believed to have been constructed even before the advent of Britishers in Ambala.

The temple has special religious importance in the City. Faithfuls say that the Devi Mandir has been constructed in the menory of Amba, Ambika and Ambalika of the Mahabharata period. The old structure of the temple reflects its age. A highlight of the temple is the paintings done on the upper walls. With the pasasge of time, the paintings have been begun to fade.

It is said Ambala got its name from Ambika Devi Mandir. Although there is no historical evidence to this inference, there is possibility that Ambala could have derived its name from the old Ambika Devi Mandir. Besides old Ambika Devi Mandir, it is also said that Ambala draws its name from the mango groves which used to abound in the region. The reference to the mango groves can be found in the documents dating back to the British period. Since there were mango groves in the region, the area was possibly referred to as "Amb Wala". The words Amb Wala later became Ambala. 

 The temple located near the Old Civil Hospital and dedicated to this deity is one of the oldest temples of Ambala. The temple is Octagonal shaped and roof is a dome. The paintings on the walls are now faded. The Goddess is worshipped with great devotion. The temple has idols of Amba, Ambika and Ambalika, the legendary heroines of the epic Mahabharata. The carvings and paintings in the temple are worth watching. Every year on the festival of Navrathri, grand celebrations are organized for 9 days in the temple in the month of September – October.

Ambika Devi Temple is the oldest temples in Ambala and is associated with the origin of the place as it is believed that Ambala derived its name from Goddess Bhawani Ambika which is said to be an incarnation of Durga. This old temple is dedicated to this deity and is located near the Old Civil Hospital. The temple was built before the British rule and houses the beautiful idols of the three deities Amba, Ambika and Ambalika. It is octagonal in shape with dome shaped roof. The most fascinating feature of the shrine is its beautiful paintings and carvings done on the walls and the roof. Every year during Navratri, a grand festival is held in the temple that beckons a number of locals and tourists to visit here.

Ambika Devi Mandir is not only the oldest shrines but also an origin of the place. Dedicated to Goddess Amba, Ambika and Ambalika, the ancient Hindu shrine was constructed before the British Raj. One of the highlights of the temple is the paintings on the upper walls and ceilings., which have faded over the years.
The ancient Hindu shrine is situated close to the old civil hospital, which can be approached by road. from any part of the city.

However, the Britishers did not refer to the area as Ambala. Instead, they called it 'Umballa'. Interestingly, Indian Railways is the only organization in the country which continues to refer Ambala as "Umb" in all of its documentation.