Ambaji Temple

About the Temple

The shrine of Shri Amba is regarded as a revered shrine by the Shakta Shaktism sect of Hinduism attracting millions of devotees every year. It is believed that the Heart of Sati Devi has fallen here however not mentioned in any puran . The origin of the Shakti Peetha status temple is from Daksha yaga and Sati's self immolation. Shakti Peethas were believed to have been formed when the body parts of the corpse of Sati Devi fell into different regions when Lord Shiva carried her corpse in sorrow after her death. The shrines are considered as highly revered by Shaivist (Shaivism) sect in Hinduism. The Shakti Peethas are mostly worshiped by tantra practitioners.

Ambaji Mata Temple is a pilgrimage site visited by millions of devotees during the week of the Bhadarvi Poonam fair. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. It is situated at a distance of approximately 65 kilometres from Palanpur, 45 kilometres from Mount Abu, 120 kilometres from Bhinmal sub-district and 20 kilometres from Abu Road, and 185 kilometres from Ahmedabad, 50 kilometers from Kadiyadra which is near the Gujarat and Rajasthan border.

Location

Ambaji is a town within taluka district Banaskantha, North Gujarat, India. It is located at 24.33°N 72.85°E. It is at an altitude of 480 metres (1,570 ft). It is surrounded by the Araveli Hill range. Ambaji is within the Aravali Range 'line of peaks', is a range of mountains in western India running approximately 800 km in a northeastern direction across Indian states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi. It is also called Mewat hills locally. Ambaji town also in between the borders of North Gujarat and Abu Road of Rajasthan.

History

The Ambaji Temple's history dates back centuries, with its roots in the legend of Shakti Peethas where the heart of Sati Devi is believed to have fallen. Though an exact historical date for the original structure is unknown, the temple was rebuilt in the 15th century and dedicated to Goddess Amba, also known as Ambaji. It holds immense religious significance as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas and is particularly revered by the Shakta sect of Hinduism. 

Ambaji Temple, 1869