Amba Mata Temple, Udaipur, Rajasthan

Amba Mata Temple, Udaipur, Rajasthan

Amba Mata Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to goddess Sakthi located in Udaipur City in Girwa Tehsil in Udaipur District in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. This temple is considered as one of the major places of worship in Udaipur. 

Legends

As per legend, it is believed that Maharana Raj Singh I (1652-1680) of Mewar Kingdom suffered from severe eye disease. Despite the efforts of the royal physician, the eye disease could not be cured. He was then advised to visit the Ambika Mata temple in the Arbudancha hills of Gujarat. Before starting his journey, the goddess appeared in his dream and informed him that he need not to take the journey as the goddess herself manifested in Mewar. She further instructed him to how to find her idol.

Based on the instructions given by the goddess, Maharana ordered his soldiers to dig a place. During their digging, they found an idol of goddess Amba Mata. The idol was excavated carefully. Maharana worshipped the idol sincerely and prayed for relief. Subsequently, he got cured of his eye disease. Maharana then ordered to construct an idol similar to the idol he saw in his dream. Once, the idol got completed. He placed the excavated idol as well as this idol in the temple he built for the goddess Amba Mata.

History

This temple was constructed in 1664 CE by Maharana Raj Singh I of Mewar Kingdom.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east and built over a 20 feet high platform. The platform is enclosed within a compound wall. There is a courtyard outside the main compound wall. It is said that the original idol after excavation was kept on Charan Paduka in front of a house with four big rooms. It can be seen under the neem tree in this courtyard. Programs of Gavri, Ger and Garba dances takes place in this platform. There are steps leading from this courtyard to the main temple.

Nakkarkhana can be seen above the main entrance gate. Dvarapalas and her mount lion are painted on either side of the entrance gate. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala, sabha mandapa with lateral transepts and entrance porch. The sanctum enshrines two idols of Amba Mata. The small idol is the Swayambhu (self-manifested) idol and the bigger one is the idol made by Maharana Raj Singh I. The Swayambhu idol is decorated with Sindoor in every six months.

The shikara over the sanctum follows nagara style architecture. The antrala has a superstructure called sukhanasi. It looks like a shorter extension of the main tower. The mount of goddess Amba Mata, lion can be seen on top of the sukhanasi. Several roosters can be seen in the temple premises. Usually, these animals are used for the sacrifice, but the temple did not allow the practice of animal sacrifice. Hence, these roosters are left by the devotees.

Festivals

Navaratri is the most famous festival celebrated here with much fanfare. The royal family of Mewar has a tradition of visiting the temple on second Navratri.

Prayers

Devotees pray here for welfare of their families and prosperity. Women make inverted swastika with sindoor, kajal, mehandi, etc. and pray for the fulfillment of their wishes. When wishes are fulfilled, they come back with families and after night long prayers set the swastika right.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 5 Kms from Udaipur City Bus Depot, 5 Kms from Udaipur City Railway Station, 7 Kms from Rana Pratap Nagar Railway Station and 25 Kms from Udaipur Airport. The temple is located on the Amba Mata Temple Road, near Fateh Sagar Lake. Udaipur is located at about 20 Kms from Eklingji, 46 Kms from Nathdwara, 102 Kms from Nimbahera, 111 Kms from Chittorgarh, 128 Kms from Sirohi, 163 Kms from Mount Abu, 250 Kms from Jodhpur and 396 Kms from Jaipur. Udaipur lies on the intersection point of East West Corridor, Golden Quadrilateral, National Highway (NH) 76 and National Highway (NH) 8, midway between Delhi and Mumbai. Udaipur is well connected to the major cities of India by land, rail, and air.

Location