Ambaji Temple

Ambaji Temple is a major Hindu pilgrimage shrine located in the town of Ambaji in Banaskantha district, Gujarat, near the Gujarat-Rajasthan border and the Aravalli hills. Dedicated to Goddess Amba, it is revered as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas where the heart of Goddess Sati is believed to have fallen. The white marble temple enshrines a sacred Shri Visa Yantra instead of an idol and attracts millions of devotees annually, especially during Navratri and the Bhadarvi Poonam fair.

Visitors can expect a white marble temple complex with a gold-plated shikhar, a sanctum enshrining the sacred Shri Visa Yantra draped in cloth with no idol, and continuous darshan, aarti and chanting. The temple is set in the town of Ambaji surrounded by Aravalli hills, with paved courtyards, shops selling prasad and offerings, and crowds of pilgrims. Nearby Gabbar Hill, considered the original shrine, is accessible by steps or ropeway and offers hilltop views.

Ambaji is regarded as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas where the heart of Goddess Sati is believed to have fallen. The present white marble temple with gold-plated shikhar was developed in recent centuries, while the original shrine is believed to be on Gabbar Hill where a sacred lamp is continuously lit and footprints of the goddess are venerated. The shrine has been a center of Shakti worship for centuries.

Dedicated to Goddess Amba, an incarnation of Adi Shakti, the temple is one of the most revered Shakti Peethas in India. It is central to Navratri and Bhadarvi Poonam celebrations when the Bhadarvi Poonam Mela draws lakhs of devotees who arrive on foot. The temple follows unique tradition of worshipping the Shri Visa Yantra instead of an idol.