Ambaji Temple, Ambaji – The Temple

Ambaji Temple, Ambaji – The Temple

The Temple Complex consists of a foot hill temple, original temple at hill top and Gabbar Parikrama Path.

Ambaji Temple at Foot Hill:

There is a main entrance in the front and only a small side-door, because it is believed that Mataji has forbidden the addition of any other door. The temple is surrounded by an open square called Chachar chowk where ceremonial sacrifices called havans are performed. The temple has a Havan Shala, with one main Havan Kund and 8 smaller Havan Kund. Presiding Deity is called as Arasuri Ambaji.

 

There is no image or idol of goddess in the sanctum. The sanctum has a cave like structure in the inner wall. It houses a gold plated convex shaped (Kurma) Shakthi Vishwa Yantra with 51 Bijapatra letters engraved. This Yantra is worshiped as the main deity. Devotees are not allowed to see the Yantra with naked eye. The worship of this Visa Shree Yantra is done only after tying a bandage on the eyes. 

The photography of the Yantra is prohibited. The sanctum is crowned with a golden colored Shikara raising to 61 feet high. The top of the Shikara has a flag and Trishul. The Shikara is topped with Kalasha. There is a large rectangular Kund, with steps on all its four sides, called Mansarovar, situated very close to the Temple.

Location

Ambaji Temple at Hill Top (Original Seat):

The actual Shakthi Peeth is situated on Gabbar Hill Top in the Town. There are about 999 steps to reach the temple at the top of Gabbar Hill. There is a Holy Lamp constantly burning in the sanctum facing the Yantra in the foot hill Temple. The footsteps of Goddess are imprinted on the Gabbar Hill. The imprints of her chariot are also found here. Cable car service is available for the devotees to reach this Temple easily. The visit to Ambaji Temple at foot hill is not completed without visiting this shrine.

Location

Gabbar Parikrama Path:

The Temple Trust has developed a parikrama (pathway) for circulating the Gabbar hill. The 51 Shaktipeeth temples are constructed on this Parikrama Path. The temples are replicas of their original temples. The project took 6 years to finish and was opened for visit in 2014, allowing devotees to experience all 51 Shakti Peethas in one place.