View source for Ambika Mata Temple

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
[[File:Jagat_22-76 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Ambika temple (Jagat)]]
'''Ambika Mata Mandir''' is a [[Hindu temple]] located in the village of Jagat, about 50&nbsp;km southeast of [[Udaipur]] in the state of [[Rajasthan]], [[India]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.templenet.com/encwest1.html|title=Temples of Western India|access-date=2006-09-15| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061008123605/http://www.templenet.com/encwest1.html| archive-date= 8 October 2006 | url-status= live}}</ref> Ambika Devi, a form of Goddess [[Durga]] is the presiding deity of the temple. The temple, located in a cleft of rock possesses a number of inscriptions. The earliest one, dated 961 AD, refers to a repair made to it.<ref>Deva, Krishna (1985). ''Temples of North India'', New Delhi: National Book Trust, pp.31-2</ref> Today, the temple is preserved by the State Department of Archaeology and Museum, Rajasthan.

The temple is an early, transitional, example of the style known as [[Māru-Gurjara architecture]].<ref>Harle, 220-221 (though Harle does not use this term).</ref>

[[File:Jagat_22-84.jpg|thumb|Offering channel]]

This is a little-known temple, dating back to the tenth century with images of Durga<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/jagat/jagat8.html
|title=	Durga Ambika Mata temple, Jagat - Photo
|access-date=2006-09-19 
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061023054559/http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/jagat/jagat8.html| archive-date= 23 October 2006 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/jagat/21-11a.jpg
|title=Durga with bow - Photo
|access-date=2006-09-19 
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061016204202/http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/jagat/21-11a.jpg| archive-date= 16 October 2006 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/jagat/21-02a.jpg
|title=Durga with snakes - Photo
|access-date=2006-09-19 
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061016204158/http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/jagat/21-02a.jpg| archive-date= 16 October 2006 | url-status= live}}</ref> and many other female divinities. Ambika, a form of the [[Hindu]] Goddess Durga, is the principal image in the shrine and worshipped as [[Shakti]], a primeval source of energy.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.templenet.com/shakti.html
|title=Abodes of Shakti
|access-date=2006-09-15 
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060917095212/http://www.templenet.com/shakti.html| archive-date= 17 September 2006 | url-status= live}}</ref> She is associated with Durga through her lion mount and is connected to the [[Jainism|Jains]] through a vision advising Vimala about building his [[Rishabha (Jain tirthankar)|Adinath]] temple at [[Mount Abu]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/jagat/jagat1.html|title=Ambika Mata Temple|access-date=2006-09-15| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060808043620/http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/jagat/jagat1.html| archive-date= 8 August 2006 | url-status= live}}</ref>

==Architecture==
[[File:Jagat_22-73.jpg|thumb|Roof model]]

The temple is also known as the ''Khajuraho of Mewar''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.india9.com/i9show/Jagat-Temple-23073.htm
|title=Jagat Temple|publisher=India9.com}}</ref> There are many fine sculptures in the temple which have been excellently preserved. This pentagonal temple, enclosed by a massive rampart wall, has 17 turrets and a pagoda-like gabled roof. Exquisite details appear high on the exterior walls of the temple, above larger sculptures of gods or goddesses, with musicians,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/jagat/jagat18.html
|title=Celestial Musicians|access-date=2006-09-23| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061023064029/http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/jagat/jagat18.html| archive-date= 23 October 2006 | url-status= live}}</ref> dancers, and singers of the heavenly court, as well as countless beautiful women.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/jagat/jagat17.html|title=	Surasundaris|access-date=2006-09-23 
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061023060717/http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/jagat/jagat17.html| archive-date= 23 October 2006 | url-status= live}}</ref> The richness and arrangement of the carving often has a curling vegetal motif. The theme is of a mountain palace, a heavenly abode of the gods. The tower is covered with intricate motifs, including clouds, and is surrounded by small [[Sikhara|shikhara]] towers which echo the surrounding mountain peaks. The architecture of the mountain palace, as the heavenly abode of the gods, echoes the temple which is their earthly residence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/jagat/jagat6.html|title=Corner detail|access-date=2006-09-15
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061023060322/http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/jagat/jagat6.html| archive-date= 23 October 2006 | url-status= live}}</ref>

==Sculptures==
[[File:Ambika-Tempel_(Jagat)3.jpg|thumb|Durga]] 
As a Devi temple, most of the sculptures here represent either (1) Durga, the fierce devi, or (2) Lakshmi and other beneficent devis, or (3) Brahmani and other theoretical counterparts of the traditional (male) Hindu divinities.

<gallery>
File:Jagat 21-54.jpg|Ladies of the Heavenly Court.Ambika Mata temple, Jagat. This section of the wall is decorated with goddesses in various postures: holding an [[Eka-tantri vina]] (photo left), playing a vina (type unknown) while supported by an elephant (photo center), and holding a child (photo right).
File:Jagat 22-92.jpg|A fierce form of Devi, Chamunda is portrayed as a frightening, emaciated hag. Her attributes include fangs, a sword, Shiva's trident, skull garland, skull staff, skull bowl, and skeletal corpse which she tramples or sits on. Woman playing eka-tantri vina, far right.
File:Jagat 21-62.jpg|Musician's playing flute and a vina.
</gallery>

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
*Harle, J.C., ''The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent'', 2nd edn. 1994, Yale University Press Pelican History of Art, {{ISBN|0300062176}}

==Further reading==
*Stein, Deborah L.  "The Theft of Amba Mata: Ontological location and Georges Bataille’s bas matérialisme," RES: Anthropology and Aesthetics (Spring 2010): 264–282.

==External links==
{{commons category|Ambika Mata temple (Jagat)}}
*[http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/jagat/jagat1.html Ambika Mata Temple]
*[http://www.infinityfoundation.com/mandala/s_es/s_es_kishw_EAA.htm Traditional Female Moral Exemplars in India]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060901071939/http://www.asia.si.edu/devi/fulldevi/deviNeilAmbika.htm Photo of carving]

{{Hindu temples in Rajasthan}}
{{Udaipur}}

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[[Category:Durga temples]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Udaipur district]]
[[Category:10th-century Hindu temples]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Udaipur district]]
[[Category:Māru-Gurjara architecture]]