Ambaji Travel Guide, How to Reach, Places to Visit

Overview

Shri Arasuri Ambaji Shaktipeeth Mandir - Nine sq km of sacramental settlement in the Banaskantha district of Gujarat, Ambaji is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths in India. Visited by millions of devotees every year, Ambaji is chosen as one of the six primary pilgrim places of Gujarat that is governed and undertaken by ``Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board`` by the Gujarat Government.

Ambaji, the seat of Shri Arasuri Ambaji Shaktipeeth, is located on the Rajasthan-Gujarat border in the south-western reaches of Aravalli Range. The temple of Ambaji has located 65 km from Palanpur, 45 km from Mount Abu, and 20 km from Abu Road.

The mythological story of Shaktipeeth is known to everyone among Hindus. During staying (Hindu epoch which saw the birth of Lord Rama), Daksha, the father of Parvathy performed a Yagya (oblation) with aim of seeking revenge from Shankara, Lord of Universe, by not inviting him to his grand sacrificial ceremony. Daksha wanted to satiate his bruised ego against the Lord as his daughter Parvathy married against the wishes of her father. Daksha`s insult infuriated Sati (Parvathy) and she reached the place where the yagna was being performed, even after being dissuaded repeatedly by the Lord. On Sati’s arrival at the venue of yagna, she was treated with great revilement by her father Daksha. Sati couldn’t bear the insult of her husband and gave up her life by jumping into the oblation fire. Shiva, unable to withstand his wife’s loss, broke into a ginormous rage while the site of the yagna was ruined by his ganas (Shiva’s army). Mad with rage, Shiva was provoked to tandava carrying the deceased body of Parvaty on his shoulders. Shiva’s annihilative Tandava started worrying the Gods, thus, the symposium of Gods and Goddesses started looking a way to save the world from destruction in Shiva’s Tandava. As a strategy, Lord Vishnu cut Parvathy’s body with his divine disc (Sudarshan Chakra) into 51 pieces that fell over 51 places in India, thereby giving rise to Shaktipeeths out of the divine body of Sati.

Shri Arasuri Ambaji Shaktipeeth is the place where Parvathy’s heart fell. Mythological narrations state that it was not Sati’s heart rather breast that fell at Ambaji. However, abiding by the belief of the local populace, the mother goddess`s heart fell on the hilltop in Gabbar - 3 km from Amabaji. Also said and believed is that Ram and Lakshman prayed Gabbar when onlook for Seeta. They sought blessings of the Ambe Mata and were given Ajay Baan to kill Ravana. Nand and Yashoda, Lord Krishna`s parents visited Ambe Mata Temple on the tonsuring ritual (Mundan) of Lord Krishna.

As mentioned in the legend and mythology, Ambaji Shaktipeeth antecedes Mahabharata's age and is a pre-Aryan deity incorporated into their goddess and beliefs. Ambaji Temple architecture shares a great alikeness with the temples design and architectures found in Rajasthan and Gujarat border. The architectural splendor promptly attracts attention with carved citadels and a pendant figure of sculpted marble hangs from carved circular ceilings in a huge mandapa, at the heart of it is situated the Ambaji Shrine. On the top of the shrine presides a beautiful Kalash on the Shikhar.

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How to Reach

Fair, Festivals & Events

Excursions & Attractions

Excursion

The shrine of Ambaji is surrounded by the plenitude of sacred shrine and hills that constitute further pilgrimage excursions in an ambit of 8-10 km and beyond. Given below are some of the exciting spots that dot the closest vicinage of Ambaji in consecration. Presented below are the lists of various religious sites lined up near Amba Ji Temple:-

Koteshwar Mahadev Temple can be fetched in the dense regions, 8 km from Ambaji Temple. Constructed on the originating source of Saraswati River, this ancient temple lets you glimpses of sacred ruins with a holy Kund. The river Saraswati flows from a Gomukh (the mouth of a cow) at Koteshwar Mahadev Temple. And, there is a great legend that adds credibility to this awesome place of peace. As per the legend, there was ashram of Valmiki Rishi at this spot where Valmiki, the author of Ramayana, composed the holy book of Ramayana. Later, Rana Pratap, the King of Mewad renovated this holy temple during his reign.

A beautiful, quondam Shivalaya, Kailash Tekari is located on a high altitude near Ambaji Temple. The temple is frequented by pilgrims and devotees who visit Ambaji Temple as it is too close to the shrine area. The old sanctum sanctorum of Lord Shiva in Kailash Tekari is a pleasant experience after a few steps of trek. Watching the sun setting from this place is a nice see. As a recent architectural addition to Mahadev Temple at Kailash Tekari, there is a whole, new artistic stone gate at the temple entrance.

Just 1 km away from Kumbharia Jain Temple in the village of Jetwas village of Danta Taluka, there is an ancient place of Someshawar Mahadev which is also on the water spring. Just adjacent to this temple is located Chamunda Math.

Sprawling on the site of a Dam, Richhadia Mahadeva Temple is undoubtedly a place of tourist attraction. A Shivalaya on the banks of Astakoni Vav dots the place in consecration.

Kumbheshawar Mahadev Temple built near Kumbharia Jain is a sui generis architectural marvel that has been built on Vaastu principles, the ancient Indian Science of Architecture. There are wonderful pieces of architecture with idols Ling of Ashutosh, Jalandhar, and Shivalinga.

In the lap of Aravallis, Mount Abu is a serene place and has served as a site for meditation of great saints and seers of India. Located in the backyard of Ambaji, this mountainous beauty is a treasure trove of natural attractions such as Nakki Lake, Dilwara Temple, head Quarters of Bramhakumari Foundations, etc.

Attractions

There are two significant places in Ambaji for the devotees visiting the shrine. The temple of Ambaji and temple on the Gabbar Hills are the most prominent places at Ambe Mata Shrine Touring Ambaji, including the Darshan, which is a days affair and even less than that.

Ambaji Temple

Location Right next to the state highway, clearly visible from a distance

Timing 7:30am-11:30 am, 12:30-4:30pm, 6:30-9 pm

Temple Trust Tel 02749-262136; 262930; 262633; 264536

Aarti Timings 7:30 am and 6:30 pm; Special services like Annakoot and Thal are also performed on the visitor’s demand.

Built-in shiny marbles in reverence to Goddess Ambe, the Amabaji Temple holds no image or idol of gods and goddess but a symbolic yantra. The holy yantra, rightly called as Shakti Visa Shree yantra, is a gold plated disc on which is embossed 51 sacred letters of the Hindu language. Ambaji Yantra is considered one of the most sacred Yantras and share commonalities with yantras located at Shaktipeeth Temple at Ujjain and Guhayakesari temple in Nepal. The sanctimonious yantra is kept in a cave-like scared space, which is usually called as gokh (garbha) in Gujarati and is dressed to resemble the idol of any other Shaktipeeths. Every day, the yantra is dressed to resemble the nine famous incarnations of Ma Durga, the mother of all Shaktis. There is a beautiful red statuette of a lion facing the shrine and women worship with a red color vermillion.

Outside the temple is a vast compound that devotees may spill into on its benches. The compound comprises of Yagna Shala, offices of a temple priest, and behind the temple trust office. Due to its vastness and capacity to hold a big crowd, the area in the front of the temple is also called as Chachar Chowk. This Chowk is so intrinsic part of the temple that Amabaji temple is also called as Chachar Chowk Wali Mata.

Gabbar Tirth

Location 3 km east of Ambaji

Timing All day; break at lunch hour

Udayan Khatola Timings 8 am-6 pm with a lunch break from 1-1:30 pm

Trolley Tickets Rs 6

Gabbar Hills, located in the southwestern zone of Aravalli Hills, is considered to be the original Shaktipeeth of Mata Ambe. Located on a small hillock of the Arasur (Marbles) region, it is mythologically accorded that the original place where Sati’s heart fell was on Gabbar Hills. The Amabaji Temple Trust has started a 3-min trolley service to the shrine. Otherwise, one can climb up 900 steps up to the Gabbar Hills. The tiny open-air shrine here has a continuously lit flame. Additionally, the footprints and prints of her wheel chariot of Ambaji are places of sacred interest here. Next to it is the turn of Paras Pipul Tree where innumerable threads tinge the color from brown to red, and the vermillion with bangles make it look alive as a woman.

Kumbhariya Jain Temple

Location 2 km west of Ambaji Temple

Timing 6:30-7:30

Temple Phone

An interesting place to see, Kumbhariya Jain Temple is a complex of five marble temples dating back to the 12th century. The village got its name as Kumbhariya after 18th when it was ruled by Rana Kumbha of Mewar. The original Neminath Temple was built by the Vimal Shah, the architect of Adinath Temple of Delwara. After Allaudin’s attack the temples were rebuilt and renovated in 1976. The other four temples are motley of Pinkish White and yellowish-white marbles.

Ambaji QnA

YOUR QUERIES AND ANSWERS

Ask a Question

hey..what is the best way to reach ambaji frm Navsari, how much is the distance?

Anonymous

Asked on 2019-05-29 14:08

dharamshalas in ambaji

Anonymous

Asked on 2019-05-26 23:13

Dear Chetan,

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Good Day.

Anonymous

Replied on 2019-05-26 23:13

hotel in ambaji

Anonymous

Asked on 2019-04-13 22:31

Hi...,

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Anonymous

Replied on 2019-04-13 22:31

We want cheap n best accommodation in Ambaji.

Anonymous

Asked on 2019-04-11 13:44

Dear Sir,

Thanks for your query, below i would like to suggest best hotels in Ambaji.

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Anonymous

Replied on 2019-04-11 13:44

Dear Sir,

Thanks for your query, Below i would like to suggest best hotels in Ambaji.

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Anonymous

Asked on 2019-04-05 13:17

i want to stay at ambaji in cheap rates of hotel or dharamshala around 1/5/2010 then going to mount abu for singal days

Anonymous

Asked on 2019-04-04 20:19

can u tell me the driving directions from Mount Abu to Ambaji. Is it safe to travelby road?

Anonymous

Asked on 2019-04-03 15:58

Hi Rita,

Distance: 45 kms. | Approx. Time: 1.25 Hrs.

START at Mount Abu

Start From Government Hospital and move towards Mount Abu Road,

Take Mount Abu Road cross Amthala, Karoli ,

Take NH 14 Abu Road and Go on ,

Cross Abu Rd Railway Station Turn Left on SH 9 ,

Continue on SH 9 via Sarhad Chhapri towards Ambaji

End at Ambaji

This is the shortest route from Mount Abu. Yes, it is safe to travel.

Anonymous

Replied on 2019-04-03 15:58

some decent hotels in Ambaji for 4 people....Thanks.

Anonymous

Asked on 2019-02-08 10:15

Dear sir,

Thanks for your query, below i would like to suggest you decent Hotels in Ambaji.

Sunrise Palace Hotel, Ambaji

Ambaji International Hotel, Ambaji

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Anonymous

Replied on 2019-02-08 10:15

Dear sir,

Thanks for your query, below i would like to suggest you decent Hotels in Ambaji.

Sunrise Palace Hotel, Ambaji

Green Park Hotel, Ambaji

Anonymous

Asked on 2019-02-01 11:42

Need room for 2days in ambaji.

Anonymous

Asked on 2019-02-01 10:01

Dear Sir,

Thanks for your query,

ambaji mandir canteen only at 10 rs

and at green park at 60\-or call me on09898937437

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Anonymous

Asked on 2019-01-18 12:22

I AM PLANNING TO VISIT AMBAJI TEMPLE FROM JAMNAGAR VIA DISA AND THROUGH BALARAM AMBAJI WILD LIFE SANCTUARY. IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE THROUGH THE WILD LIFE SANCTUARY

Anonymous

Asked on 2019-01-12 14:01