Ambaji

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Site Name: Ambaji
Site Type: Hindu temple
Location:  Ambaji, near Abu Road, Gujarat state, India
Highlights: One of 51 Shakti Peeth temples; a very popular temple of Goddess
Nearest Railway Station: Abu Road
Nearest Airport: Ahmedabad
How to reach: Well connected by road  
Hotel: Decent accommodation options are available in Ambaji
Restaurants: Good vegetarian restaurants are found in Ambaji

Ambaji is a very popular temple town located near Abu Road in Gujarat state of India. Millions of devotees visit this site every year. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peetha temples. 

Highlights:
  • One of the 51 Shakti Peetha temples
  • Goddess - Ambaji
  • Instead of image or idol, only Visa Yantra is worshiped as the main deity
  • The heart of Shakti fell on this site 

Legend:

As per the Hindu mythology, as Daksha insulted his son in law Lord Shiva, Shiva's wife and Daksha's daughter Sati sacrificed her life. Shiva became very angry and started dancing Rudra Tandava carrying the corpse of Sati. To protect the universe, Lord Vishnu cut down the body of Sati into many pieces. The body parts fell in different sites on the earth; all of those sites became Shakti Peethas. In Ambaji, it is believed that the heart of Sati fell in this site.

Temple Layout:

Although the temple is supposed to be very old, it is very evident that renovation work has been carried out recently. The current structure of the temple is made of marble and is very big. The sanctum santorum enshrines the "Shree Visa Yantra". There is no image or idol of Goddess Ambaji. Although the temple is big, there are no other idols or sub-shrine found in this temple apart from the main deity.

Around five kms from this temple, there is another small Ambaji temple located atop Gabbar hill. It is believed by few people that it was the original temple of Ambaji. Here, the deity is present in the form of idol. The temple is very small. One has to climb around 1000 steps to reach this hilltop temple.

Happy travelling.


Location: Ambaji, Gujarat 385110, India

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