The shrine of Ambaji is surrounded by the plenitude of sacred shrine and hills that constitute further pilgrimage excursions in an ambit of 8-10 km and beyond. Given below are some of the exciting spots that dot the closest vicinage of Ambaji in consecration. Presented below are the lists of various religious sites lined up near Amba Ji Temple:-
Koteshwar Mahadev Temple can be fetched in the dense regions, 8 km from Ambaji Temple. Constructed on the originating source of Saraswati River, this ancient temple lets you glimpses of sacred ruins with a holy Kund. The river Saraswati flows from a Gomukh (the mouth of a cow) at Koteshwar Mahadev Temple. And, there is a great legend that adds credibility to this awesome place of peace. As per the legend, there was ashram of Valmiki Rishi at this spot where Valmiki, the author of Ramayana, composed the holy book of Ramayana. Later, Rana Pratap, the King of Mewad renovated this holy temple during his reign.
A beautiful, quondam Shivalaya, Kailash Tekari is located on a high altitude near Ambaji Temple. The temple is frequented by pilgrims and devotees who visit Ambaji Temple as it is too close to the shrine area. The old sanctum sanctorum of Lord Shiva in Kailash Tekari is a pleasant experience after a few steps of trek. Watching the sun setting from this place is a nice see. As a recent architectural addition to Mahadev Temple at Kailash Tekari, there is a whole, new artistic stone gate at the temple entrance.
Just 1 km away from Kumbharia Jain Temple in the village of Jetwas village of Danta Taluka, there is an ancient place of Someshawar Mahadev which is also on the water spring. Just adjacent to this temple is located Chamunda Math.
Sprawling on the site of a Dam, Richhadia Mahadeva Temple is undoubtedly a place of tourist attraction. A Shivalaya on the banks of Astakoni Vav dots the place in consecration.
Kumbheshawar Mahadev Temple built near Kumbharia Jain is a sui generis architectural marvel that has been built on Vaastu principles, the ancient Indian Science of Architecture. There are wonderful pieces of architecture with idols Ling of Ashutosh, Jalandhar, and Shivalinga.
In the lap of Aravallis, Mount Abu is a serene place and has served as a site for meditation of great saints and seers of India. Located in the backyard of Ambaji, this mountainous beauty is a treasure trove of natural attractions such as Nakki Lake, Dilwara Temple, head Quarters of Bramhakumari Foundations, etc.
Attractions
There are two significant places in Ambaji for the devotees visiting the shrine. The temple of Ambaji and temple on the Gabbar Hills are the most prominent places at Ambe Mata Shrine Touring Ambaji, including the Darshan, which is a days affair and even less than that.
Ambaji Temple
Location Right next to the state highway, clearly visible from a distance
Timing 7:30am-11:30 am, 12:30-4:30pm, 6:30-9 pm
Temple Trust Tel 02749-262136; 262930; 262633; 264536
Aarti Timings 7:30 am and 6:30 pm; Special services like Annakoot and Thal are also performed on the visitor’s demand.
Built-in shiny marbles in reverence to Goddess Ambe, the Ambaji Temple holds no image or idol of gods and goddess but a symbolic yantra. The holy yantra, rightly called as Shakti Visa Shree yantra, is a gold plated disc on which is embossed 51 sacred letters of the Hindu language. Ambaji Yantra is considered one of the most sacred Yantras and share commonalities with yantras located at Shaktipeeth Temple at Ujjain and Guhayakesari temple in Nepal. The sanctimonious yantra is kept in a cave-like scared space, which is usually called as gokh (garbha) in Gujarati and is dressed to resemble the idol of any other Shaktipeeths. Every day, the yantra is dressed to resemble the nine famous incarnations of Ma Durga, the mother of all Shaktis. There is a beautiful red statuette of a lion facing the shrine and women worship with a red color vermillion.
Outside the temple is a vast compound that devotees may spill into on its benches. The compound comprises of Yagna Shala, offices of a temple priest, and behind the temple trust office. Due to its vastness and capacity to hold a big crowd, the area in the front of the temple is also called as Chachar Chowk. This Chowk is so intrinsic part of the temple that Amabaji temple is also called as Chachar Chowk Wali Mata.
Gabbar Tirth
Location 3 km east of Ambaji
Timing All day; break at lunch hour
Udayan Khatola Timings 8 am-6 pm with a lunch break from 1-1:30 pm
Trolley Tickets Rs 6
Gabbar Hills, located in the southwestern zone of Aravalli Hills, is considered to be the original Shaktipeeth of Mata Ambe. Located on a small hillock of the Arasur (Marbles) region, it is mythologically accorded that the original place where Sati’s heart fell was on Gabbar Hills. The Ambaji Temple Trust has started a 3-min trolley service to the shrine. Otherwise, one can climb up 900 steps up to the Gabbar Hills. The tiny open-air shrine here has a continuously lit flame. Additionally, the footprints and prints of her wheel chariot of Ambaji are places of sacred interest here. Next to it is the turn of Paras Pipul Tree where innumerable threads tinge the color from brown to red, and the vermillion with bangles make it look alive as a woman.
Kumbhariya Jain Temple
Location 2 km west of Ambaji Temple
Timing 6:30-7:30
Temple Phone
An interesting place to see, Kumbhariya Jain Temple is a complex of five marble temples dating back to the 12th century. The village got its name as Kumbhariya after 18th when it was ruled by Rana Kumbha of Mewar. The original Neminath Temple was built by the Vimal Shah, the architect of Adinath Temple of Delwara. After Allaudin’s attack the temples were rebuilt and renovated in 1976. The other four temples are motley of Pinkish White and yellowish-white marbles.
Bhadrapadi Poonam or Bhadrapadi Poornima is celebrated expansively on the full moon day of each month according to the Vikram Samvat year of the Hindu calendar at the Ambaji Temple. A huge affair for the devotees and administrative authorities, alike, Bhadrapadi Poonam is the time of people’s gathering and Mata’s worship in the temple precincts with Lok Mela. Even so, the festival is organized every month but the months of Asho, Kartik, Chaitra & Bhadrapad are regarded important months of the Bhadrapadi Poonam where the days are considered as holy days for the worship of Shakti Swaroopini Mata Ambica. The four-day festival is considered as very auspicious and is accompanied by the pomp of traditional Garbha dances, along with the religious rituals of hawan (oblation), darshans, bhajans (holy verses) and many other local as well as religious functions. On the main festival day, Ambaji temple receives a good crowd of 15 lakhs of people, who come to pay their homage to the Goddess by padayatra sangha (pilgrimage on foot).
Some other festivals celebrated in Ambaji Mata Temple are Poshud Punam (Birthday of Mata Ambaji), Chaitra Navratri (Jai Ambe Ma Akhand Dhoon, Shravan Vad Teras to Amas (Yagna Havan and Annakoot), Bhadarvi Poonam (Big Religious Fair for 4 days), Ashwin Navaratri.
(Garba in Chachar Chowk for all nine days and a Havan Yagna by Royal Family of Danta State, as well as a yagna by SAAMDT on Aatham). Moreover Janmasthami, Dashera and Rathyatra are also celebrated in Ambaji.
