Ambaji Shakti Peetha

Shree Arasuri Ambaji Mata Temple is located at Ambaji in Banaskantha district, Gujarat, near the Rajasthan border and the Arasur hills. It is one of western India’s foremost centres of goddess worship. The sanctum does not contain a conventional anthropomorphic idol; devotion is directed to the sacred Shree Visa Yantra, which is traditionally kept covered and worshipped according to established ritual practice. Nearby Gabbar Hill is regarded as the original seat of the goddess and forms an essential part of the Ambaji pilgrimage.

Temple tradition identifies Ambaji as a major Shakti Peetha where the heart of Sati fell. The goddess is worshipped as Ambika, Amba or Arasuri Amba, and Kal Bhairav is named as the associated Bhairava in the source tradition used for this database. While Peetha enumerations can vary, the heart association is firmly preserved by the Ambaji temple tradition and is especially connected with Gabbar Hill.

The Bhadarvi Purnima Mela is the largest annual gathering, drawing pilgrims who often travel in devotional groups on foot. Chaitra and Sharad Navratri are also celebrated with garba, worship and special programmes. Pilgrims commonly combine darshan at the main temple with Gabbar Hill, Mansarovar and other nearby sacred places. Ambaji’s importance rests on its living Yantra worship, strong Shakti Peetha identity and central position in Gujarat’s religious culture.