The place of Ambe Mata or the Mother Goddess is a famous spot for religious tourism for Hindu pilgrims. This temple has been worshipped from Pre Vedic times and the Goddess is accepted as the Arasur ni Ambe Maa as the temple is situated on top of the Aravalli hills. Ambaji Mandir is accepted widely as one of the most important Shakti Peeth and it is well known that locals around the area keep taking the name of Ambaji as a sacred hymn. Ambaji is lauded as the supreme cosmic controller of the world. Historically, there has never been an idol or picture of the Goddess though the resident priests had painted the upper inner area of the roof in a way that conjures up the resplendent image of the Goddess.

There is a simple Gokh in the inner wall bearing the famous gold Shakti Visa Sri Yantra that has a convex shape and bears 51 holy Bij letters. Adequate precautions have been taken that the Yantra can be worshipped but not photographed. Even devotees are asked to tie their eyes with a white cloth before they are allowed to worship the Yantra. History says that the Ambaji temple has a strong Tantric past and the famous revered Batuk Tantric is associated with this temple.

This temple is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths of Mother.  According to the Puranas, wherever the pieces of the sati, the clothes or the ornaments held, have fallen, wherever Shaktipeeth came into existence. They are called the most sacred shrines. These shrines are spread across the entire Indian subcontinent.

According to mythology, Goddess Sati gave her life by jumping into the fire of Havan organised by her father King Daksheshwara. When Lord Shiva was running around the earth carrying her body then Lord Vishnu divided the body in 51 parts using his Sudarshan chakra. Out of those 51 parts, from which the ‘Heart’ of Sati fell to this place.

All the festivals are celebrated in Ambaji Shakti Peeth, especially in the festival of Durga Puja and Navaratri, special puja is organized. During these festivals, some people keep fasting (do not eat food) as a respect and dedication to God’s worship. In the days of the festival, the temple is decorated with flowers and lights. The spiritual atmosphere of the temple provides peace to the heart and mind of the devotees.

Ambaji Temple is key shrine of goddess, worshiped from pre Vedic period. As per the Markandeya Puran, Sati, daughter of King Daksh Prajapati, was great devotee of Lord Shiva and did intense penance to please Lord Shiva. Finally Lord Shiva had accepted her hand for marriage. But King Daksha was not happy with this marriage.

विद्या त्वमेव ननु बुद्धिमतां नराणां शक्तिस्त्वमेव किल शक्तिमतां सदैव । त्वं कीर्तिकान्तिकमलामलतुष्टिरूपा मुक्तिप्रदा विरतिरेव मनुष्यलोके ॥

To insult Lord Shiva, Daksha held Yagya and invited all God and reputed persons except the Sati and Lord Shiva. Sati had decided to confront her father at Yagya. Lord Shiva tried to stop her by doing this but Sati went to Yagya.

King Daksh did not welcomed her and use this occasion to insult her and Lord Shiva in front of all God and reputed individuals. Sati could not bear this humiliation and jumped into holy pyre of the Yagya.

Once Lord Shiva got this information; he was deeply pain and anger on Daksh. Lord Shiva had created Virbhadra and Bhadrakali with extra ordinary super power and order to kill Daksh and his army. Then Lord Shiva picked up Sati with burning body and unleashed his fury in form of legendary Tandava, dance of destruction. The other God and people started worried about safety of whole universe and requested Lord Vishnu the supreme Lord, to help out in this situation.

Lord Vishnu used the Sudarashan Chakra and cut the body of Ma Devi Sati in pieces. As per the legends, Sati’s heart fell over spot marked by Ambaji Temple. Thus this temple is one of the main Shaki Peeth and Siddh Peeth across 51 Shakti Peeth.

Worship of Vishwa Yantra at Amabji Temple

Another important note of this temple is, there is no idol or photo of Ma Devi Ambe but it has Yantra. There is a Gokh -cave in the wall on which gold plated marble inscription of a triangle Vishwa Yantra is fixed. It is copper plate with Vedic text on sacred geometry inscribed on with figures and Shree is written in the center. This Vishwa Yantra represents the deity in temple. This Vishwa Yantra is decked up with ornaments and special attire in a way that the ensemble resembles Goddess Ma Ambe.

Unknown facts about Ambaji Temple

Other unknown facts about the temple and rituals followed are, in the morning, Balyaroop of Ma Ambe is worshipped with Bal Bhog as Prasad. In the afternoon at 12 PM, Yauvanroop is worshiped with Rajbhog Prasad in gold thal and in evening Praudhroop is worshiped with Sayanbhog.

Amabji Temple is the only temple in the world where every day the different vahan is used as savari of Ma Devi Ambe. Tiger on Sunday, Nandi on Monday, Lion on Tuesday, Aairavat on Wednesday, Garudjee on Thursday, Hans on Friday and Elephant of Saturday are used as Savari or Vahan or rider of Ma Devi Ambe. . Four Bhattji families have been assigned to worship as Pujari in Ambaji Temple. Every year different family takes the charge as main Pujari in Temple from April to March.

Akhand Jyot – Holy lamp, is placed in Chanchar Chowk from many years and other Akhand Jyot is placed on Gabbar Hill in same line. Devotee can see both the Jyot in line in the evening from Chanchar Chowk or Gabbar.

Ambaji temple has undergone renovation in several phases; old structure has been replaced with carved marble under guidance of expert Sompura Community. The inner part of temple is remaining untouched and retain in original form.