Ambaji Temple, Gujarat: Home to the Heart of 51 Shakti Peethas of India

All hail the gods and goddesses of our divine land! 

The cultural knit of the Indian community is absolutely beautiful. The shrines and temples of India carry with them a history that is bound to pique your interest. As we move along this post we shall virtually take you through the holy and sacred pilgrimage of Ambaji Mandir. 

Nestled in the Aravallis, and at the divine feet of Maa Ambe, is the Ambaji Temple. Every religious centre in the form of temples and shrines has the soul of divinity. 

Location: 

Situated at Gujarat and Rajasthan border, in the district Banaskantha of Gujarat,  Ambaji Temple is believed to have been here for more than 1200 years. Mata Ambaji Temple is at a driving distance of about 3.5 hours from the Ahmedabad and Udaipur Airports.

History: 

The sacred belief of the origin of Shakti Peethas goes back to the time when Lord Vishnu’s chakra dissected Mataji’s body. The 51 parts from the body that were scattered across the land were later called to be the Shakti Peethas.  Amongst the 51 Shakti Peethas of India, it is said that the location of this temple is where Mata’s Hridya (heart) had fallen. 

Architectural Aspect: 

The intricate carvings on the temple’s facade are spellbinding. One glance at the temple, and it is beyond human comprehension that the structure has been present here for over 1200 years. The top Kalash of the temple is 103 feet tall and weighs about 3 tons. The temple has been constructed with a special milky white marble which is found at the Arasur mines. The Kalash marble has been gold plated adorned with a sacred red flag on top signifying Ambaji Mata along with a majestically placed Trishool. 

Ambaji Temple and Gabbar Parvat: 

Every year in the month of February, 51 Shakti Peethas Parikrama Mohatsav is celebrated at the premises of Ambaji Temple. The entire temple is beautifully decorated and adorned with lights and flowers. At a driving distance of 5 minutes from the Ambaji Temple is the Gabbar Parvat, where it is believed that Mata Sati’s Chhaya body’s hridaya (heart) had fallen. All devotees visiting Ambaji Temple also pay a visit to the Gabbar Parvat, where the ‘Akhand Jyoti’ is lit. There are two ways to approach the top of the Gabbar Parvat. It could be either done by climbing a total of 999 stairs, or through a ropeway ride to the top. 

Pratikriti at Gabbar Parvat: 

While it might be a devotee’s dream to visit all of the 51 Shakti Peethas, it can still be a long journey to accomplish this. Therefore, a newer version has been laid down at the Gabbar Parvat, where the Pratikritis or (representations) of the 51 Shakti Peethas are present. Devotees visiting Ambaji Temple can now pay their tributes to all the Shakti Peethas at one place while also simultaneously doing the Parikrama of the Gabbar Parvat. The temples of the Shakti Peethas have been divided into clusters and it can take the devotees an average of 3-3.5 hours to complete the Parikramas. 

How to Reach: 

Via Train: 

If you are planning to visit the Ambaji Temple via train then the nearest Railway Station to the temple is the AbuRoad Railway Station. Ambaji Temple is at a distance of 22 Km from the railway station which can be covered via easily available local buses or taxis. In case devotees are not able to connect directly to the AbuRoad Railway Station from their respective travel locations, another alternative is to reach Ahmedabad Railways Station. There are frequent trains running from the Ahmedabad Railway Junction to the AbuRoad Junctions. 

Via Flight: 

For devotees flying in to pay a visit to the Ambaji Temple, they must book flights for the Sardar Vallabhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. Ambaji Temple is at a distance of 165 Km from the Airport which can be covered via trains or taxis. 

Via Bus: 

There are direct buses running to the Ambani Temple, from cities such as Ahmedabad, Delhi, Rajasthan etc. 

Where to Stay: 

There are ample number of hotels and dharamshalas in the vicinity of the temple that can be booked by the devotees visiting the temple. Ambika Vishram Grih is a guest house operated by the Temple Trust which has ample rooms with facilities of single, double and four beds for accommodations.

The Temple Trust also runs the Ambika Bhojanalay for the devotees where they can have their meals of the day. 

The sight of Ambaji Temple and Gabbar Parvat is one to behold. It is bound to leave you mesmerised. So the next time you’re planning to visit Gujarat, make sure to visit Mata Ambaji Temple and witness the Divya Darshan of 51 Shakti Peethas. If this article resonates with the devotee within you, and you wish to know more about India and its significant tourist destinations, then stay tuned. Alight India continuously strives to bring forth a panoramic view of our beautiful land.