Shri Ambadevi:
The statuary of Shri Ambadevi is self-existent with black colored Valuka-pashan. It is in sitting position and full-expanded. Both the hands are on thighs and the eyes are half-opened. It looks clam, grave and meditative. The hands and the legs of the statuary are very small. The looking of the statuary tells that it might be a work of Buddha or Jain craftsmanship. The proof of southern craftsmanship can be seen on the building of the temple ‘Ghumat’ of the temple shown the proof of Islami craftsmanship. While taking the darshan of Shri Ambadevi the golden covered splendid mask, which we see was originally made of silver but then 100 grams golden mulama was given in 1905.
Shri Ambadevi Temple:
Shri Ambadevi Temple opens at 5:00 AM in the morning. At that time the melodious tunes of Sanai, Mangalprabhati and Choughada used to offer and it follows with the cleanliness of the temple. Then the appointed worshippers begin the worship of “Shri”. The devotees are also allowed to offer their Abhishek and Shashwatpuja. According to religious and traditional manner the bathing of the statuary takes place and before that there is also Panchamrut bath and Abhishek. After that the worshippers put cloth on the statuary and deck with a wreath of flowers to it. The worshippers also shed perfumes on the statuary and finally affix the silver label on the forehead of the statuary.
There is a tradition to put all the golden jewellery on the statuary after the worship on full-noon day, Amavasay, each Tuesday and during the nine days of Navratra. There is ‘kirit’ behind the golden mask of the statuary. Among the different jewels of the statuary, there comes a golden ring of the nose, bindi of the forehead, ornaments of the ears and the throat, the girdle and so many various ornaments from throat to waist. Putting the clothes to the statuary is a peculiar technique and nobody can belive that the statuary is self-efficient. The daily worship as well as offerings of clothes and jewellery takes place till 07:00 AM. Then there comes devotional Aarti after the offering of Navaday. Mahanavaday comes at 12:00 PM in which there are some sweet items like Puranpoli & Khir. After that there is distribution of Mahanaivadya among the devotees. Then there is offering of Tambul i.e. some religious mouth freshening for the statuary.
The devotees whole-heartedly bring all the essential material of the mouth freshening. After Mahanaivadya of the afternoon, there is special arrangement of Mahaprasad for the devotees, women and Bramhins. The devotees religiously take sacred ash, Malwat of the forehead of the statuary tambul and take away to their home. There is religious belief of the devotees that one can fulfil the cherished desire with the sacred Malwat of Devi’s forehead. There is evening Aarti of Devi at 07:00 PM and so many devoteers attend that Aarti. There are distributions of prasad after the evening Aarti and the offerings of Karunashtakke. At 10:00 PM there is an arrangement of sleeping for Shri Jagdaba in which there comes silver bed, makhmali carpets. After that there is Sejaarti. The temple closes after this Sejaarti.
Ambagate:
The Nizam built the stony wall from 1806 to 1821 in order to protect the citizens of Amravati. But Shri Ambadevi temple remained out of the stony wall. Therefore the people used to come in group of 6 or 7 to take the Darshan of Shri Ambadevi as they could not come alone. Through it was a wicked design of the Nizam to keep the temple out of the stony wall, yet people believed that Ambadevi was the front of the city only to protect the Amravati city.
Rukhmini’s Elopement:
Rukhmini’s Elopement took place in Ambadevi temple and the temple got historical importance. Amravati city becomes sacred as good Shri Krishna come for Rukhmini’s elopement. Shri Krishna stayed for 3 days as he was looking for proper opportunity for elopement. Today that proof which can be seen in Shri Krishna temple of ‘Matakhidki’. This is second proof which tells that Rukhmini’s elopement took place in Ambadevi temple. In Harivanshi also the proof of Rukhmini’s elopement can be seen and the proof is also in Kundinpur’s Devi temple.
Ambabrooke:
There flows one Brooke at the south of Shri Ambadevi temple. It is known as Ambabrooke. Entry to the Ekviradevi temple from the Ambadevi temple is from above of the Brooke. There is bridge over the Brooke. Previously this bridge was very narrow. During the Navratra and else days this bridge appeared very narrow for the traffic. So the trusty of the temple built a bridge on the Brooke in 1948. The bridge now joins these two temples. And that made easy for the devotees.