Kamal Guha at 01:56, 20 November 2023

2023-11-20T01:56:45Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2012}}

{{Infobox settlement
| name = Ambaji
| other_name = Arasur, Amba Bhavani
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Census Town
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Ambaji Temple
| pushpin_map = India Gujarat#India3
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Gujarat, India
| coordinates = {{coord|24.33|N|72.85|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Gujarat]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Banaskantha district|Banas Kantha]]
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total = 17753
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]], [[Hindi language|Hindi]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]] code
| postal_code = 385110
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = 91-02749
| registration_plate =[[List of RTO districts in India#GJ.E2.80.94Gujarat|GJ]]-8
| website = Ambaji [http://www.gujaratindia.com/about-gujarat/ambaji.htm] [[Gujarat]]
| footnotes =
}}
'''Ambaji''' (''Ambājī'') is a [[census town]] in [[Banaskantha district]] in the state of [[Gujarat]], [[India]]. It is known for its historical connections with sites of cultural heritage.

==Geography==
[[File:Ambaji Temple at Night.jpg|thumb|Ambaji Temple at Night]]
Ambaji<ref>[http://www.gujaratindia.com/about-gujarat/ambaji.htm Important Temple Town in North Gujarat. ]</ref> is a town within [[Tehsil|taluka]] district [[Banaskantha]], North [[Gujarat]], [[India]]. It is located at {{Coord|24.33|N|72.85|E|}}.<ref>[https://tools.wmflabs.org/geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Ambaji&params=24.33_N_72.85_E_type:city(13702)_region:IN-GJ - Ambaji]</ref> It is at an altitude of {{convert|480|m|ft}}. It is surrounded by the [[Aravali district|Araveli]] Hill range. Ambaji is within the '''[[Aravali Range]]'''<ref>[http://aravalibiodiversitypark.in/?q=node/1 Aravali Biodiversity Park, Gurgaon, website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528194722/http://aravalibiodiversitypark.in/?q=node%2F1 |date=2012-05-28 }}</ref>'line of peaks',<ref>''The Geography of British India, Political & Physical'', by George Smith. Published by J. Murray, 1882. ''Page 23.''.</ref> 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]].<ref>{{cite book | contributor-last=Kohli|contributor-first=M.S.| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kpd9lLY_0-IC&pg=PA92&dq=Aravali&as_brr=0 | contribution=Aravali Range | title=Students' Britannica India | first1=Dale | last1=Hoiberg | first2=Indu | last2=Ramchandani | publisher=Popular Prakashan | year=2000 | isbn=0-85229-760-2 | pages=92–93}}</ref><ref>[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/32222/Aravali-Range Aravali Range] [[Britannica.com]].</ref> It is also called [[Mewat]] hills locally. Ambaji [[town]] also in between the borders of North [[Gujarat]] and [[Abu Road]] of [[Rajasthan]].

==Demographics==
{{As of|2011}} India [[census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2011: Data from the 2011 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Ambaji had a population of 17,753. Males constitute 9,132 of the population and females 8,621. Ambaji has an average literacy rate of 78.39%, higher than the state average of 78.03%, with 85.76% of the males and 70.78% of females literate; 14.12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

==Climate==
Ambaji enjoys all types of weather. In summer, it is hot and humid and the temperature remains between 26 and 46 degrees Celsius with hot winds. In winter, the temperature ranges between 6 and 36 degrees Celsius. During this period, which is quite cool, average rainfall is about 15 to 30 inches; in the [[monsoon]] season, per season, average rainfall is about the same as in winter, sometimes with heavy rainfall. Amabaji is at an altitude of 480 m; therefore, weather remains relatively pleasant throughout the year.

==Banks==
Ambaji [[town]] has branches of the [[State Bank of India]], [[Bank of Baroda]], [[HDFC Bank]] and [[Dena Bank]] with [[Automated Teller Machine|ATM]] facility.

==About the Temple==
[[File:Navratri garba at Ambaji temple.jpg|thumb|Navratri Garba at the Ambaji temple.]]
Ambaji is an important temple town with millions of devotees visiting the Ambaji temple every year. It is one of the 51 [[Shakti Peethas]]. [[Ambaji Mata temple]] is a major [[Shakti Peeth]] of India. It is situated at a distance of approximately 65 kilometres from [[Palanpur]], 45 kilometres from [[Mount Abu]], and 20 kilometres from [[Abu Road]], and 185 kilometres from [[Ahmedabad]], 50 kilometers from Kadiyadra near the [[Gujarat]] and [[Rajasthan]] border.

In the holy temple of "Arasuri Ambaji", there is no image or statue of goddess the holy "Shree Visa Yantra" is worshiped as the main deity. No one can see the Yantra with naked eye. The photography of the Yantra is prohibited.
The Arasuri Ambe Mata or Arbuda Mataji is kuldevi of Barad Parmaras. The one Parmar state is located near the ambaji town I.e.Danta and which also serves as capital of whole parmar clan.

The original seat of Ambaji Mata is on [[Gabbar hilltop]] in the town. A large number of devotees visit the temple every year especially on [[Full Moon|Purnima]] days. A large mela on ''Bhadarvi poornima'' (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 whole Ambaji town is lit up as the nation celebrates the festive time of Diwali.

The temple is open from 6.00 am to 11.30 am, 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm and 6.30 pm to 9.00 pm.

==The Ambaji Mata Temple as a Shakti Peeth==
{{main|Daksha Yaga|Shakti Peethas}} [[File:Dakshayani.jpg|thumb|Shiva carrying the corpse [[Sati (goddess)]]]]

The shrine of Shri Amba is regarded as a revered shrine by the Shakta [[Shaktism]] sect of Hinduism. It is believed that the Heart of Sati Devi has fallen here. The origin of the Shakti Peetha status temple is from the ''[[Daksha Yaga|mythology of 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kottiyoor Devaswam Temple Administration Portal|url=http://kottiyoordevaswom.com/|work=kottiyoordevaswom.com/|publisher=Kottiyoor Devaswam|access-date=20 July 2013}}</ref>

==Religious history==
Ambaji is one of the 51 ancient [[Shakti Peetha]] Tirth in India. There are 12 main Shakti Pith Tirth, significant places of pilgrimage for the worship of Shakti, namely, Ma Bhagwati Mahakali Maha Shakti at [[Ujjain]], Ma Kamakshi at [[Kanchipuram]], Mata Bramaramba at [[Srisailam]], Shri Kumarika at [[Kanyakumari]], Mataji Ambaji at AnarGujarat, Mata Mahalaxmidevi at [[Kolhapur]], Devi Lalita at [[Allahabad|Prayag]], [[Vindhyavasini|Vindhya Vasini]] at [[Vindhya]], Vishalakshi at [[Varanasi]], Mangalavati at [[Gaya, India|Gaya]] and Sundari at [[Bangal]] & [[Guhyeshwari Temple]] in [[Nepal]].

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.

==Places near Ambaji town==

===Gabbar Hill===
[[File:Gabbar Temple, Ambaji.jpg|thumb|Gabbar Temple, Ambaji]]
Just about 4.5 km Gabbar hill is situated on the border of [[Gujarat]] and [[Rajasthan]], near the flow of the origin of the Vedic virgin river [[Sarasvati (river)|Sarasvati]], on the hills of Arasur in forest, towards south-west side to ancient hills of [[Aravalli Range|Arawali]], at the altitude of about 480 meters, at about {{convert|1600|ft|m}} high from sea level, having at {{convert|8.33|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} area as a whole, and it is, in fact, One of the 51 famous Ancient [[Shakti Peeth]]s and it is place of where the heart of the dead Devi Sati fell at the top of hill of Gabbar as per the legend narrated in the "Tantra Chudamani".{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} The Mountain or Hill of Gabbar has also a small temple fortified from the western side and there are 999 steps to go up to the mountain and reach this holy temple at the top of Gabbar Hill. A Holy Lamp is constantly burning on this hill temple facing exactly in front of Visa Shree Yantra of Nij Mandir of Mata Shri Arasuri Ambica. Sightseeing places include a sunset point, Cave and Swings of Mataji and Trips through a [[ropeway]]. As per recent study Ambaji Temple was constructed by the Suriyavans Emperor Arun Sen, the ruler of Vallabhi in 4th Century AD

Just about 4.5☃☃km Gabbar hill is situated on the border of [[Gujarat]] and [[Rajasthan]], near the flow of the origin of the Vedic virgin river [[Sarasvati (river)|Sarasvati]], on the hills of Arasur in forest, towards south-west side to ancient hills of [[Aravalli Range|Arawali]], at the altitude of about 480 meters, at about ☃☃ high from sea level, having at ☃☃ area as a whole, and it is, in fact, One of the 51 famous Ancient [[Shakti Peeth]]s and it is place of where the heart of the dead Devi Sati fell at the top of hill of Gabbar as per the legend narrated in the "Tantra Chudamani".☃☃ The Mountain or Hill of Gabbar has also a small temple fortified from the western side and there are 999 steps to go up to the mountain and reach this holy temple at the top of Gabbar Hill. A Holy Lamp is constantly burning on this hill temple facing exactly in front of Visa Shree Yantra of Nij Mandir of Mata Shri Arasuri Ambica. Sightseeing places include a sunset point, Cave and Swings of Mataji and Trips through a [[ropeway]]. As per recent study Ambaji Temple was constructed by the Suriyavans Emperor Arun Sen, the ruler of Vallabhi in 4th Century AD.

===Kamakshi Mandir===
One kilometre away from Ambaji near Kumbharia Jain Temple on Khedbrahma Highway, there is the Kamakshidevi Temple Complex. All 51 Shakti Pith, the centre of cosmic power, are reconstructed and installed in a single complex so as to give total information to the visitors and devotees of the great Shakti Sampraday about the various incarnations of Adhya Shakti Mata.

===Kailash Hill sunset===
A picnic cum pilgrimage place one and half kilometres away from Ambaji on Khedbrahma Highway, there is a Shivalaya on the top of Kailash tekari, where one can go only by climbing the steps and walking on a hilly area of Kailash Tekari. Moreover, The Temple Trust has recently constructed a big artistic stone gate at the Temple of Mahadev on Kailash Tekari, which is also administered by Shri Arasuri Ambaji Mata Devasthan Trust.

===Koteshwar===
[[File:Koteshwar Temple, Near Ambaji, Gujarat.jpg|thumb|Koteshwar Temple]]
Just 8 km away from Ambaji near the Origin of the Vedic Virgin River Saraswati, there is an ancient temple of Shri Koteshwar Mahadev, attached with a Holy Kund and the flows of river Saraswati from the Mouth of Cow Gaumukh, incurved in a rock.
As per a legend there was an Ashram of Rushi Valmiki, the author of Ramayana, near Valmiki Mahadev temple and the King of Mevad, Maha Rana Pratap had renovated this holy temple, It is said that during the Mutiny of Independence in 1857, Nana Saheb Peshwa had taken his abode in the cave of this temple.

===Kumbhariya===
{{Main|Kumbhariya, Banaskantha district}}
{{See|Kumbharia Jain temples}}
One and a half kilometers away from Ambaji Temple Town. The nearest railway station is the Abu Road about 24 Kilometer and the nearest bus stand 1.5 Kilometer of the Ambaji. It has historical [[Jain temple]] of Shri [[Neminatha]] Bhagwan which dates back to 13th century.<ref>.[http://jainsamaj.org/rpg_site/literature2.php?id=2380&cat=40 Jain Temple in Kumbhariya, Ambaji] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416180956/http://jainsamaj.org/rpg_site/literature2.php?id=2380&cat=40 |date=16 April 2014 }}</ref> The Kumbhariya [[Jain temple]] of Shri [[Neminatha]] Bhagwan is now heritage center in Gujarat.<ref>[http://www.jainheritagecentres.com/Gujarat/Kumbhariyaji.htm Jain Heritage centre at village Kumbhariya, Near Ambaji] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416181457/http://www.jainheritagecentres.com/Gujarat/Kumbhariyaji.htm |date=16 April 2014 }} .</ref> The [[village]] Kumbhariya also houses educational institute Shree Ambaji Arts College managed by Shree Arasuri Ambaji Mata Devasthan Trust, Ambaji established in 1991 <ref>.[http://www.ambajitemple.in/page_content.php?cid=69 Education Institution Shree Ambaji Arts College in village Kumbhariya, Ambaji ]</ref>

===Mansarovar===
Man Sarovar is behind the main temple. It is said to have been constructed by Shri Tapishanker, a Nager Devotee of Ambaji from Ahmedabad, from 1584 to 1594. There are two temples on two sides of this holy tank, one is of Mahadev and another is Ajay Devi, who is believed to be the sister of Mata Ambaji. The visitors and devotees use to take holy bath in this Man Sarovar. It is also an important source of history of Ambaji that there is an ancient Monument of Scripts Writings and Old Carvings on Rock Stone "Shilalekh" of Raja Maldev, dated Hindu Calendar Samvat year 1415, in Ajay Devi Mandir. The Temple Trust has also undertaken the renovation projects in respect of Holy Man Sarovar, and its temples and surroundings, behind the main Temple.

==Gabbar Parikrama Path==

Shri Arasuri Ambaji Mata Devsthan Trust has developed a parikrama way circulating 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 Shaktipeeth by doing Parikrama of Gabbar hill.

==Education==
Ambaji Town has educational institutions from primary education to higher education.

===Higher education===
* Shree Ambaji Arts College
* Shree ambaji commerce College

===Schools===
* Ambaji Mata Uchtar Vidhyalay (Science Stream)
* A G P High School
* Adarsh Nivashi Secondary School
* Arasuri Ambaji Sanskrit Pathshala
* B.D.Maheta Arasuri Girls High Secondary School
* Bal Mandir, Ambaji
* Carmel English High School
* Government Gujarati School
* L. J. Thakur English Medium School
* Sarswati Hindi Medium High Secondary School
* Shri B.D. Mehta Arasuri Kanya Vidhyalay primary school

==Transportation==
There is a bus-station of [[Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation]] (GSRTC) connecting to all major cities of [[India]], and a railway station is at [[Palanpur]] of [[Banaskantha district]], North [[Gujarat]], India.

===Road===
Ambaji can be reached through [[Himatnagar]] road which is connected with [[National Highway 48 (India)|National Highway 48]] ([[Mumbai]] to [[Delhi]]). The other road which Passes through [[Palanpur]] and [[Danta, Banaskantha|Danta]] and connects with State Highway SH 56 to reach Ambaji.

===Rail===
The nearest Railway station is at [[Abu Road]] which comes under the administrative control of [[North Western Railway zone]] of the [[Indian Railways]]. It has direct rail links on the broad gauge to the cities of [[Ajmer]] [[Chennai]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Mysore]], [[Bangalore]], [[Pune]], [[Mumbai]], [[Jaipur]], [[Jodhpur]], [[Delhi]], [[Dehradun]], [[Muzaffarpur]], [[Bareilly]] and [[Jammu]]. It is connected to most of the cities and towns in [[Gujarat]] such as [[Ahmedabad]], [[Surat]], [[Vadodara]], [[Bhuj]], [[Rajkot]], [[Jamnagar]] and [[Porbandar]]. Indian Railways’ proposal to double the broad-gauge line between Palanpur and Samakhiali has received government backing. The doubling will benefit the districts of Kutch, Patan and Banaskantha in the state of Gujarat.

===Air===
The nearest airport is the [[Deesa Airport]] (also spelled ''Disa'' Airport), an airport in [[Deesa]], [[Gujarat]] but this airport is not working nowadays, originally built for Palanpur,<ref name=toi11>{{cite news|title=Helipad in every taluka {{sic|headqua|ters|nolink=y}} |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Helipad-in-every-taluka-headquaters/articleshow/11273994.cms|access-date=2 January 2017|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=28 December 2011}}</ref> it is just 82 km from Palanpur city.
The nearest international airport is [[Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport]], [[Ahmedabad]] which is 179 km far from Ambaji Temple Town.

===Distance from places===
*From [[Surat]] it is 443  km away
*From [[Ahmedabad]] it is 184 km away
*From [[Palanpur]] it is 65 km away
*From [[Abu Road]] it is 23 km away.

===Surrounding cities===

{{Adjacent communities
|Northwest = [[Deesa]]
|North = [[Abu Road]], [[Mount Abu]]
|Northeast = [[Udaipur]]
|West = [[Palanpur]]
|Center = Ambaji
|South = [[Himatnagar]], [[Ahmedabad]]
|Southwest = [[Patan, Gujarat|Patan]]
|Southeast = [[Danta, Banaskantha|Danta]]
|East = [[Idar]]
|}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Ambaji}}
*[http://www.ambajitemple.in/ Ambaji Temple web site]
*[http://www.gsrtc.in/site/ Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation]

{{Hindu temples in Gujarat}}
{{Banaskantha district}}
{{Hindu holy cities}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Shakti temples]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Banaskantha district]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Banaskantha district]]

Ambaji - Revision history

Kamal Guha at 01:56, 20 November 2023