Devi Amba Mata Mandir Junagadh, Gujarat

Amba Mata Mandir

Amba Mata Mandir is situated at the top of the Girnar Mountains which is located in Junagadh in Gujurat. It is one of the ancient temples of India and is highly sublime pilgrimage centre of India .The Girnar Mountain is a significant site of Junagadh and thus attracts thousands of pilgrims throughout the year. It is established in early 12^th Century and mostly Pre Aryan Race deities worship Goddess Amba .One can find Footprints of Goddess Amba along with this Chariot which were seen here before the temple was constructed in the Junagadh Mountains.

The temple does not contain any idol ,it has only Golden Yantra with 51 'Shlokas' in a niche and the Shrine is made of marbles.The shakti piths are engraved at those places where the pieces of Sati’s Body fell as Ambaji is among 64 the Shakti piths.

How to reach:

Through Air- the nearest Airport is Ahmedabad approx 179 Kms.

Through Road- Palanpur is 144 Kms.

Through Railways- the nearest railhead is Palanpur located 60 Kms.

History

As per the mythology belief, Lord’s Krishna Tonsure ceremony took place and many devotees visit during the Purnima Fairs held on the Full moon day on Kartik ,Chaitra and Bhadrapad . Bhavai, a Folk Drama is performed and Navratri is celebrated as amba Mata is considered as the Adhya Shakti – the pre mordial power, the mother Goddess.During Navratri devotees pay honor and this festival in Gujurat is comparable as the Saraswati worship in Bengal .According to Legends ,Lord Shiva’s Father in Law Daksha Prajapati felt insulted when lord shiva didn’t come to receive him therefore in order to snub him he organized Ayagna and didn’t invite Shiva and Sati went to the Yagna uninvited ,She felt insulted as the people ignored her presence therefore due to ignorance she jumped in the sacrificial fire . In grief, Shiva took her body and Vishnu had to intervene as he cut up the body with his discus so that Shiv regained the composure. According to Puranas, one piece fell at Amba Ji and it is a saying that at Gabbar hills ,Goddess revealed herself and left her footprints.