Ambaji Temple Tourist Guide 2022

Ambika is generally the name of Adi Shakti or Shakti or Parvati, consort of Sadashiv. And has eight arms, holding multiple weapons. She is also known as Bhagavati or Chandi.

Amba Mata also identified as Durga, Parvati, Bhavani, Ambe maa, Sherawaali, Mata rani, etc.

Devi Shakti is the incarnation of the supreme cosmic power of the universe or Adhya Shakti and she is responsible for vanquishing the evil. The Goddess emerges as a circle of light with weapons on all sides and she is also worshipped as Mahishasura Mardini. The devotees who flock to Ambaji Temple also worship the divine cosmic power who is incarnated as Ambaji. The temple signifies the heart of Goddess Shakti and is one of the major Shakti Piths in India.

THE AMBAJI TEMPLE HISTORY – ESTABLISHED AS A SHAKTI PEETH

Mythology says that the original temple is dedicated to Maa Arasuri and it is built on top of a hill called Gabbar Hillock. This is the site where the heart of Goddess Sati fell after her body disintegrated into 51 sacred pieces post the Tandav dance of Shiva. The original Danta temple was worshipped by devotees till king Danta fervently requested the goddess to reside in Danta.

The Goddess granted his request with one condition that the king should not look back even one time till he reached the temple of Danta. In case he failed to do so the Goddess would not shift. The king accordingly led the Goddess down the hill towards the site of Danta. The anklets of Goddess tinkled and seemed to signal her movements behind the king. However, the king could not resist his curiosity and peeped back for a small look. The Goddess (true to her word) refused to budge even an inch and the disappointed king had to go away. The place where the Goddess stopped her sojourn was the site of the Ambaji temple.

INSIDE VIEW OF AMBAJI TEMPLE

Ambaji, a famous pilgrimage place of Gujarat in India is situated on the border of states of Gujarat and Rajasthan near Abu road, in the Danta Taluka of Banaskantha District, near the origin of the famous Vedic virgin river SARASWATI, on the hills of Arasur Parvat in Ambica forest, towards the south-west side to old hills of Aravalli, at the altitude of about 480meters, at about 1600feet high from sea level, having at 8.33 sq. km area as a whole, is in fact one of the 51 ancient Shakti Piths, the main centre of cosmic power in India.

It is said to have been constructed by Shri Tapishanker, a Nager Devotee of Ambaji from Ahmedabad from 1584-1594.  There is no idol or picture in the temple but a simple cave-like Gokh in the inner wall, in which a Gold-plated holy Shakti Visa Shree Yantra having kurma back convex shape and 51 Bij letters therein, connected with that of the original Yantras of Nepal and Ujjain Shakti Piths, is also ritually installed in such a way it can be visible for devotion, but never photographed in past nor can be so done in future. The worship of this Visa Shree Yantra is done only after tying a bandage on the eyes.

The red flag above the small temple dances welcomingly in the wind. Made of white marble with gold cones, the temple was originally built by Nagar Brahmins. There is the main entrance in the front and only the 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. There is a rectangular holy Kund called Mansarovar which is at a small distance from Ambaji Temple.

A large number of devotees visit the temple every year, especially on Purnima days. A large mela on Bhadarvi Purnima (full moon day) is held. Every year from all over the country people come here walking all over from their native place just to worship MAA AMBE in September. The ecstatic festival of Navratri is celebrated all over Gujarat in reverence of Ambaji, by dancing the Garba around the holy mother. On these nine nights, the Nayak and Bhojok communities also performed bhavai theatre. The whole Ambaji town lit up as the nation celebrate the festive time of Diwali.

In order to develop Ambaji pilgrimage as a hill picnic place of Gujarat, Shri Arasuri Ambaji Mata Devasthan Trust has recently in1998 installed and inaugurated Shri Amba Devi Udan Khatola facilities, that is to say, a ropeway on the mountain of Gabbar, with the help of Usha Breco Co. of Calcutta on a lease basis, so that more and more pilgrims can visit and enjoy the beauty and holiness of Gabbar with ease and joy. There are 2 stations one is ground station and the other is a top station with 2 cables. It has a capacity of 4 passengers and the trip duration is 3-4 minutes. And the price for this is 94 Rs. Ropeway timing is 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

AMBAJI ROPEWAY

AMBAJI ROPEWAY BOOKING

1. Student ID is mandatory for student group pass
2. Half ticket for children less than 110cm height
3. One to and Fro journey for one person only
4. Retain your ticket till the end of the journey
5. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable
6. ID proof is mandatory for concession ticket
7. Online booking is not available for the ropeway tickets

AMBAJI DARSHAN TIME

Ambaji Darshan Timing from 7:30 AM. to 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM to 4:15 PM, and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Ambaji is open for darshan all seven days of the week.

Darshan timings might vary during festival days such as full moon days, Navratri days.

AMBAJI TEMPLE DARSHAN TOKEN BOOKING

Ambaji Darshan Registration

www.ambajitemplebooking.in/public/registration

Step 1. Registration Yourself for Darshan Token Booking

Click on the above link and you redirect to the registration page

Step 2. Select Darshan Date

Step 3. Select Your Suitable Time Slot for Darshan

Step 4. Select Number of Devotees/Person want to visit the temple

Step 5. Fill Your Mobile Number

Step 6. Fill Your E-mail ID

Step 7. Select Your Transport Type (Taxi/Bus/Car/Bike)

Step 8. Fill your Vehicle Number

AMBAJI AARTI TIME

Aarti of Mataji is carried out regularly every day at about 6:00 am in the morning. Timings of sunrise and sunset keep on changing as per the season, so the timings of Aarti vary accordingly.

Madhyan Aarti- 7:30 AM to 8:00 AM

Rajbhog Aarti- 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM

Sandhyan Aarti- 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM

FESTIVALS CELEBRATED IN AMBAJI TEMPLE GUJARAT

1. Kartik Sud
2. Posh Sud Poonam
3. Chaitra Navratri
4. Shravan Vad Amas
5. Bhadrapad Sud Poonam Mela
6. Aswin Sud Navratri

BEST TIME TO VISIT AMBAJI TEMPLE

The ideal time to visit Ambaji Mata is between October to February. If you do not mind the humidity and the rains then the month of September, August, and July are also suitable for a pilgrimage. It is better to avoid visiting in the scorching hot summer months.

Monthly Weather in Ambaji

FACTS ABOUT AMBAJI TEMPLE

The Shringar of Mata Ambaji here in the Nij Mandir is changed according to different Darshan hours, such as it is of a virgin Kumarika Devi during morning hours, that of a blonde young woman during noon hours, and that of an old lady during evening hours every day. In the main temple, the silver sandals or paduka of Mata Ambaji are also worshipped. There is also a big idol of a Holy Lion in front of Gokha of Mata Ambaji, and the devotees use to worship this Holy Lion with Kanku Puja, which is also a traditional symbol of Indian married women who use to keep Kanku on the front of the middle of her head and hairs, for the sake of her happy matrimonial life.

There is also an Akhand Divo- a Holy Lamp in Chachar Chowk, which has been burning for many years i.e., since the period of Akheraj, a merchant and the devotee of Mata Ambaji as per the legend. The same Holy Lamp is still burning in front of Mata Ambaji and the devotees use it to fill Ghee therein and keep it burning before Mataji.

The main Temple of Ambaji is short and small but there is a huge Mandap and there is a Holy Gokh of Mataji in the Garbh-Gruh, and in front of this there is a big Chachar Chowk. So, Mata Ambaji is also known as Chachar Chowkwali too. The rituals worship of Ambaji are usually performed in this Chachar Chowk and during Navratri, the devotees use to play and enjoy Garba of Mata Ambaji in front of the main temple in this Chachar Chowk.

FACTS ABOUT GABBAR HILLS

As per a legend said in Ramayan, Lord Rama and Laxman came to Ashram of Shrungi Rushi in search of Sitaji, where they were told to worship Devi Ambaji at Gabbar. And Rama did so and Jagat Mata Shakti Devi Ambaji gave him a miraculous arrow namely “Ajay” with the help of which Rama conquered and killed his enemy Ravan in the war.

It is also a legend that the hairs of holy child Lord Krishna were also removed here on this Gabbar hill, as a holy ritual ceremony of hair removing Mundan, in presence of his foster parents Nand and Yashoda, who has worshipped Devi Ambaji and Lord Shiva during the period of Dwapar Yug.

The well-known Rajput king of Mewar, Maha Rana Pratap was a true devotee of Arasuri Amba Bhawani. He was once saved by Mata Ambaji, so he had gifted and dedicated his famous sword to the holy feet of Mata Arasuri Ambaji.

As per Mahabharat, on the full moon day, Purnima of the month of Bhadrapad princess Rukmani had worshipped her Kul-Devi Mata Ambaji on the mountain of Gabbar hill, in order to invite her beloved Lord Krishna, to abduct her from her swayamvar to marry and Mata Ambica gave her a boon to achieve her goal to marry Lord Krishna, as against the wish of her brother and relatives and other kings. And princess Rukmani wedded with Lord Krishna and became Pat-Rani, the main queen and had celebrated the well-known Indian festival of Navratri, for the first time on this earth, in the Garbh- Deep Nritya in Gujarati Garba style, with her friends and relatives in Dwarka.

There are 300 stones steps at the foot of the hill after which the pilgrimage has to climb through a narrow dangerous track.

Shri Arasuri Ambaji Mata Devsthan’s trust has developed a parikrama way around the Gabbar hill. The 51 Shaktipeeth temples are constructed on this parikrama marg. The temples are made as same as they are at their original locations. One can darshan all 51 Shakti Peeth by doing Parikrama of Gabbar hill.

AMBIKANIKETAN TEMPLE SURAT

Ambika Niketan Temple is one of the most prominent pilgrimage places of Surat city. It is located on the banks of the river Tapi and was built by the devotee of the goddess, late Smt Bharati Maiya. The two-storey structure, built in the year 1969, houses the idol of Ashtabhuja Ambika- an avatar of Shakti. Goddess Ambika has ashtabhuja, meaning eight hands, and is seen looking graceful in a beautiful saree, smiling sweetly to bless all her followers.

In this temple, you can also find mini shrines that are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, and Laxmi Narayan. A lot of worshippers visit this place of pilgrim all across the year but it is seen that the temple is mostly crowded during the Hindu festival of Navratri. The celebrations of the Navratri are conducted with great fervour. Ambikaniketan came into existence in 1969. The flow of people not only from Gujarat but from all over the country and abroad. It has become the 2nd greatest center of SHAKTIPUJA next to AARASUR AMBAJI.

TOP SIGHTS NEAR AMBAJI

1. Shaktipeeth Shri Aarasuri Ambaji
2. Mangalya Van
3. Kailash Tekari Mahadev Temple
4. Gabbar Hill
5. Kumbhariya Jain Temple
6. Arasuri Ambaji Gabbar
7. Kamakshi Temple
8. Balaram Ambaji Wildlife Sanctuary
9. Shri Koteshwar Mahadev Mandir
10. Kailash Hill Sunset

AMBAJI TEMPLE FACILITIES

There are some facilities provided by Shri Arasuri Ambaji Mata Devasthan Trust (SAAMDT) like Shakti Dwar, Bhojnalaya, Holiday Home, Hospital, etc.

• Shri Ambica Vishram Gruh
  Near S.T. stand, Ambaji
  Phone: 02749-262143

• Shri Ambica Bhojanalay
  Near S.T. Stand, Ambaji
  Phone: 02749-262505

• Shri Jagat Janani Pathikashram (Holiday Inn)
  Opp. S.T. Stand, Ambaji
  Phone: 02749-262800

• Shri Diwali Ba Guru Bhawan
  Danta Road, Ambaji
  Phone: 02749-262143

• Flyover Bridge connected with Chachar Chowk
  Near S.T. Stand, Ambaji

• Tourist Bath Rooms and Public Toilets
  Near Flyover Bridge, Ambaji Khodi Vadli, Ambaji

• Locker Rooms for Tourist
  Near Flyover Bridge, Ambaji

• Big Parking Plot for Vehicles of Tourists Near Flyover Bridge, Ambaji
  Near Gabbar Taleti (Bottom)

AMBAJI TEMPLE ACCOMMODATION

Cottage Name – Shri Jagat Janani Pathikashram

Cottage Name – Ambika Vitram Ghaura

Cottage Name – Dihyala Ba Gaurbhavan

The above-mentioned charges might change and is subjected to Shri Arasuri Ambaji Mata Devsthan Trust.

AMBAJI TEMPLE ACCOMMODATION BOOKING

1. Online booking is not available for these trust rooms.
2. Rooms will be allotted on arrival at the counter.
3. Photo ID proof required for the room allotment.
4. Tourist bathrooms and public toilets available for the devotees at a nominal charge.
5. Parking is available in all the trust rooms.
6. Luggage keeping centres are available.
7. The room will be allotted for 24 hours from the time of check-in.

For more details on Ambaji Temple Gujarat Accommodation, Please call@ 8500085151

AMBAJI TEMPLE CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH AMBAJI

BY AIR

The nearest international airport is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International airport, Ahmedabad which is 179km far from Ambaji Temple. Buses are easily available from Ahmedabad to Ambaji.

BY TRAIN

Ambaji does not have a railway station, and the nearest railway station is at Abu road at a distance of 22km, which comes under the administrative control of the North-Western railway zone of the Indian railways. Taxis and other vehicles are available and take almost 26mins. Palanpur railway station distance between Palanpur to Ambaji is 71km by road. The convenient and fastest way to reach Palanpur to Ambaji is to take a taxi from Palanpur to Ambaji. The cheapest way to reach Ambaji from Palanpur is to take Ashram Express from Palanpur to Abu road.

BY ROAD

Ambaji is in Danta Taluka of Banaskantha district, near the Gujarat – Rajasthan border. There is a bus stand of Gujarat state transport(GSRTC) connecting all major cities of India to Ambaji. The walk from the bus station to the temple is less than one kilometre, under a roofed walkway. Direct buses are available for many places, including Mount Abu -45 km away, Udaipur-171.5km away, Palanpur -65 km away, Ahmedabad 195km away, Idar -115km away, and Mumbai -698.6km away.

INSTRUCTIONS AFTER LOCKDOWN

Devotees have been asked to mandatorily wear face masks, get sanitized before entering the temple premises, and not bring elderly people(those above 65 years of age) and children (below to 10 years) with them.

The temple will only allow priests to conduct the ‘aarti’ with no presence of devotees, the official said.

The Ambaji temple in Banas Kantha district, a major pilgrimage in north Gujarat, has been opened from June 12 and allows devotees to visit the place in three shifts every day, starting at 7:30 AM and ending at 10:15 PM, the temple trust said in a statement.

Tt will not allow aarti or special prayers, and visitors will be given a token specifying the time for a visit, to ensure they enter and leave the temple premises without crowding the place.

The district administration and the temple trust have made arrangements for sanitisers and to ensure social distancing during visits by devotees.

AMBAJI IS IN THE NEWS

A consumer court has imposed a fine of Rs. 5,000 INR on a shop owner in Ambaji town for charging more than the actual price for ‘prasad’ from a devotee. The court observed that such improper practice by traders spoils the image of pilgrim places and brings a bad name to Gujarat’s traders. (10 October 2020)

RULES FOR VISITORS

People visiting the Ambaji temple must be decently dressed. Entry is restricted for people above 12 years wearing half pants, shorts, and skirts. ‘Chandrika Makwana’ the chairman of Ambika Niketan Temple Trust said, ‘Maa Amba is the goddess of love and devotion. Devotees must know well that they should give respect to the mother, especially by being properly dressed.

FAQs Related To Ambaji Temple