Ambaji Temple in Gujarat is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths and is visited annually by millions of devotees. The full moon day (Poornima) in the month of Bhadrapada (August – September) is a highly auspicious day at Ambaji Temple. More than a million people travel to the temple on the day, majority of them on foot, carrying religious flags. Bhadrapadi Purnima Festival is also referred as Bhadarvi Poonam festival. In 2010, the date of the festival is September 23.
Shakti Swaroopini Mata Ambika, or Ma Ambaji, is an important female goddess in Shakti Cult and is also known as Amba Bhavani and Arasuri. It is believed that the heart of Goddess Sati fell here, when her body was cut into pieces by Lord Vishnu to stop the intense tapas of Lord Shiva after Sati’s death. There is no idol in the temple and Goddess Ambika is represented by a triangular Vishwa Yantra, inscribed with figures and the syllable ‘Shree’ in the center.
Legend has it that Lord Krishna Mata Ambika here and that Rukmani worshipped here prior to her marrying Krishna. Another legend states that the tonsure ceremony of Child Krishna was performed at Ambaji Temple.
Mata is visited by scores of women devotees who follow the Padyatri Sangh from their region during the Bhadrapad Purnima festival. Ancient folk dance is a major event during the festival, which lasts for four days.
Situated on the Arasur hill near Mount Abu, Ambaji Temple is located in Banaskantha District in Gujarat on the Gujarat – Rajasthan border.
One can reach Ambaji Temple by buses from Ahmedabad and also through Rajasthan Roadways. Ambaji is around 20 km from Abu Road (Rajasthan), 21 km Danta by road and 50 km from Palanpur, an important town in Banaskantha District.
The nearest Railway Station from Ambaji is Abu Road.
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