Ambaji, where the heart of Sati fell

Ambaji, 185km from Ahmedabad, is a temple city that attracts millions of worshippers each year. Legend has it that the heart of Shiva’s consort Sati fell here. This makes it one of the 51 Shakti Peethas and therefore a key pilgrimage centre.


Arasuri Ambaji


 Ambaji
Arasuri Ambaji Temple| Photo : gujarattouristguide

There are two main temples in Ambaji. Inside the town is the Arasuri Ambaji temple, named after the Arasur mountains all around the town. Worship has taken place here ever since pre-Vedic times. The temple contains no statue or image; the main object of worship is the Shree Visa Yantra inscribed on a gilded marble plaque in a niche in the inner sanctum

 Ambaji
The lion or tiger, vehicle of the goddess, in front of the altar of Asuri Ambaji | Photo: unknown

A yantra is a mystical diagram that is believed to have spiritual or magical powers. Yantras are used in the Tantric tradition of Hinduism. Among other symbols, yantras commonly feature geometric shapes such as squares, triangles and circles, or flower patterns.

yantra
A Yantra


Gabbar Hill


The other temple, the original seat of the goddess, is on Gabbar Hill, 4.5kmfrom the Arasuri Ambaji temple. You can reach it by climbing 999 steps, or by cable car. On the flat hilltop is a small niche in which a lamp is kept permenantly lit.

Ambaji
Gabbar hill

It is said that the goddess’s footprints can be seen under the temple’s bodhi tree. This sanctuary is a Shakti Peetha, said to be the one where the goddess’s heart fell.

 Ambaji
The temple of Gabba at the top of the hill

A circumambulation path (called a parikrama), has been organised round Gabbar hill, with reproductions of all 51 Shakti Peethas set up along the way.

The circumambulation path

Going down the hill, stop for a moment to taste a chhach or chhas, a drink typical of Gujarat, refreshing and digestive at the same time, based on milk sprinkled with cumin seeds.

Chhach seller at the foot of Gabbar hill

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi...

Uttarayan, Makar Sankranti and the Kite Festival
Uttarayan, the time of year when the sun starts its northward journey, is celebrated in Gujarat state with a kite...
The Arts of Kutch Region, Gujarat
Bordered by Pakistan and Rajasthan, Kutch is an ancient land that takes its name from its turtle-like geographical features (Kachchh...
Palitana, the sacred hill of Jains
Palitana is an incredible temple complex perched on Shatrunjaya Hill that seems to touch the sky. The 3500 steps that...
Ahmedabad, the city of 'pols', Gujarat
Ahmedabad ("Ahmed's City”), boasts a rich heritage from its past as a merchant city. The old town and its many...
Vadodara (Baroda), city of the Gaekwad dynasty
Vadodara, also known as Badora, is Gujarat's third-largest town, a fast-growing industrial town but also a cultural capital. Although tourists...
Rann of Kutch, the great white desert...
The Rann of Kutch is one of the world's largest salt deserts, a bright, white vastness interrupted only by touches...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

TRAVEL WITH ME !