AmbajiTown

AMBAJI, the famous religious town of Gujarat, is located at a distance of 65 Kms from Palanpur and 55 Kms from Mt. Abu, near Gujarat - Rajasthan border. Geographically it is situated at Aravali Hill range at 240 - 20' North altitude and 720 - 51' longitude and at a height of 1600 feet from sea level. This town is famous for the MaaAmbajiTemple, one of the richest and the holiest temples in Gujarat attracting millions of pilgrims from Gujarat and neighbouring Rajasthan state every year. Ambaji Mata temple is one of the 51 “Shaktipeeths” where it is believed the heart of Goddess Sati fell.

Ambaji, a famous pilgrimage place of Gujarat in India is situated on the bank of the origin of the famous Vedic virgin river SARASWATI under the hills of Arasur Parvat in Ambica forest, towards south-west side to old hills of Aravali. Ambaji is surrounded by several site seeing places. The Holy Hill of Gabbar is just 3 km away from Ambaji and Kumbharia Jain Temples, the wonderful piece of architecture are also 3 km away from Ambaji whereas Koteshwar Temple of Lord Shiva is 4 four km away, in the forest area

Ambaji Temple

Ambaji-the Origin of the Supreme Cosmic Power of the Universe is one of the fifty one ancient Shakti Pith Tirths in India. There are 12 main Shakti Pith Tirth, significant places of pilgrimage for the worship of Shakti, namely, Ma Bhagwati Mahakali Maha Shakti at Ujjan, Ma Kamakshi at Kanchi Puram, Mata Bramaramba at Malay Giri, Shri Kumarika at Kanya Kumari, Mataji Ambaji at Anartgujarat Mata Mahalaxmidevi at Kohlapur, Devi Lalita at prayag, Vindhya Vasini at Vindhya, Vishalakshi at Varansi, Mangalavati at Gaya and Sundari Bhavani at Bangal & Guhya Kesari in Nepal.

The Great Miracle of this Holy Place is that there is no idol or picture in the Nij Mandir the Temple of Shri Arasuri Mata Ambaji, but a simple cave like Gokh in the inner wall, in which A Gold Plated Holy Shakti Visa Shree Yantra, having kurma back convex shape and 51 Bij letters therein, connected with that of the original Yantras of Nepal and Ujjain Shakti Piths, is also ritually installed in such a way it can be visible for devotion, but never photographed in past nor can be so done in future. The worship of this Visa Shree Yantra is done only after tying a bandage on the eyes
The Temple of Ambaji with a big Mandap has a Holy Gokh of Mataji in the Garbhgruh, in front of huge Chachar Chowk carpeted with beautiful marbles near Yagnashala.

All the ritual worships of Ambaji is performed in Chachar Chowk. The Temple has a glorious Suvarn Kalash Shikhar,  shining at 103 feet height on the top of the temple, weighing more than 3 tones as a whole. It is specially made from a single marble, brought out from the mines of Arasur Hill and has been plated with pure gold, attached with The Holy Long Long Flag of Ambaji & Trishul. The newly constructed Main Temple Nij Mandir is worth seeing all time for its holy significance in Shaki Sampraday - the worship of the supreme power of cosmic energy and  is also for its wonderful carvings on artistic renovation displaying an Indian traditional culture.

Sight Seeing Places

Maan Sarovar, ancinet Shilalekha, Kamakshi Mandir, Kailash Hill - Sunset Point, Someshwar Mandir, Chamunda Math, Ricchadia Dam Site and Van Chetana Kendra are also near Ambaji. As per a survey, nearly 7 to 8 million people come here every year to visit Ambaji and its visit-worthy surroundings for pilgrimage as well as for picnic and other purposes. During the Bhadrapad Punam, Chaitra Punam, Posh Sud Punam and Navrati, Ambaji experiences a very large and dense rush of the people, pilgrims, padyatri sanghs and visitors every year.

GABBAR HILL

The original seat of Ambaji Mata is on Gabbar Hill top, which is 3 Kms away from Ambaji town. Ambaji Mata temple at Gabbar is very ancient, origin of which is lost in antiquity. It is believed that Goddess Amba was one of the deities of Pre-Aryan race, which Aryans absorbed in their pantheon. On the Gabbar Hill the footsteps of Goddess are imprinted. The imprint of her chariot is also found here. It is believed that the tonsure ceremony of Lord Krishna also took place here.
Millions of devotees visit the temple every year especially on Purnima days culminating into a large mela on Bhadarvi Purnima. Goddess Ambaji Mata has been fulfilling wishes of her devotees for thousands of years. 

Maa Ambaji Udankhatola (Ropeway)

In order to develop Ambaji Pilgrimage, Shri Arasuri Ambaji Mata Devasthan Trust has installed and inaugurated Maa Ambaji Udan Khatola (Rope Way) on the mountain of Gabbar, with the help of Usha Breco Ltd, so that more and more pilgrims can visit and enjoy the beauty and holiness of Gabbar with ease and joy, just by reaching in time, without any trouble.

Maa Ambaji Udankhatola at Gabbar Hill is operational since September, 1998. The level difference in the upper and lower stations is about 140 mts. Pilgrims by Udankhatola can reach the hill top in about 3 minutes. Whereas, climbing by foot takes about 45 minutes covering a steep winding path. Udankhatola is a boon to the visiting pilgrims, old, infirm, children etc. to have a quick, safe and comfortable journey for the darshan of the Goddess Ambaji.

Rope way on Gabbar Hill has in fact encouraged more and more  pilgrims, especially the aged and infirmed, senior citizens and people from all corners of the world come to visit the temple through the ropeway.

Maa Ambaji Udan Khotala

Timings of Udankhatola 8.00 am to 6.00 pm* (Subject to change)  AMENITIES Landscaped Garden Sitting & Resting Area Toilets Drinking Water CCTV  Cafeteria Souvenir Shop ChildrenPark  Puppet Show Duck & Rabbit house	SCHEMES Tkt Type Fare Details Normal Rs. 75 One to & fro journey per person on Ambaji Students Rs.525 One to & fro journey for a group of 8 students on all days Concession  Rs. 45 For physically and visually handicapped persons. Annual Pass Rs. 540 Journey once in a month valid for 12 months. Free Rides for Children below 110 cm height (accompanied by an adult having valid UDANKHATOLA ticket)

Location
	For more information and advance block bookings of tickets, contact: Resident Manager, Maa Ambaji Udan Khotala Gabbar Hills, Ambaji, Gujarat. Phone: 02749-296300 Fax: 02749-262726 Email: rm_amb@ushabreco.com ,ri_amb@ushabreco.com

How to reach Ambaji Distances : From Ahmedabad – 185 Kms. From Abu Road Railway Station – 22 Kms. From Mt. Abu – 52 Kms. From Delhi –  770 Kms. From Palanpur – 62 Kms. From Himmat Nagar – 112 Kms.     Nearest Rly Station :  Abu Road From Train No. Delhi 2958, 2916, 9106     Nearest Airport – Ahmedabad From Flight No. Delhi 6E -153, 6E-155, IC-7617, IC-7621, SG-117, SG-201, 6E-153, 6E 155 Bombay IC686, 9W327, SG106, IC603 Where To Stay In Ambaji Hotel Asopalav - Phone: 264344 Hotel Ambaji International - Phone: 264540 Hotel Bhavani Palace - Phone: 262425 Balaram Resort - Phone : 02742-284278 Local Transportation in Pavagadh Taxi , Jeep, Auto Rickshaw Tours and Travels Usha Indian Destinations  Ambaji – 02749-262726, 296300 Ahmedabad Phone : 079-26460291, 9909925050		Important Festivals in 2010 Makar Sankranti : 14 January' 2010 Republic Day: 26 January' 2010 Maha Shivratri: 12 February' 2010 Chaitra Navratra: 16 March ' 2010 to 24 March' 2010 Mahavir Jayanti : 28 March' 2010 Guru Purnima : 25 July' 2010 Independence Day: 15 August' 2010 Rakshabandhan : 24 August' 2010 Krishna Janmashtami: 2 September ' 2010 Bhadravi Poornima : 23 September' 2010 Navratra: 08 October ' 2010 to 16 October' 2010  Diwali : 05 November' 2010 Gujarati New Year: 07 November' 2010 Kartik Poornima: 21 November' 2010 Nearby Cities / Places of Importance Mount Abu - 55 Kms  from Gabbar Hill & 52 kms from Ambaji The hill resort of Mount Abu on Aravalis is magnificent land of sages and seers. The major attractions are Nakki Lake, 1000 years old Delwara Jain temples, Head Quarters of Brahmkumaris Foundation etc. Ahmedabad - 185 Kms from Gabbar hill & 182 kms from Ambaji Ahmedabad, associated with Mahatma Gandhi, is renowned as a great textile and commercial centre. The major attractions are Jama Masjid, Kankaria Lake, the Shaking Minarets, Rani Rupwati Masjid etc. Palanpur - 65 Kms from Gabbar hill & 62 kms from Ambaji Palanpur is a former princely state ruled by Nawabs. The major attractions are palaces of the Nawab, Balram Mahadev temple etc. Anand - 80 Kms One of the most successful examples of cooperative venture in the country. The place was responsible for white revolution (Milk & dairy products) of the nation. Other Places to visit in Ambaji Goddess Amba Temple in Ambaji town, Mansarovar, Koteshwar Mahadev Temple, Maa Kamakshi Temple, Kumbhariya Jain Temple.  Other Information at Ambaji Police Station (Ambaji) - Phone : 262148, 264599 Cottage Hospital (Ambaji) - Phone : 262155 Ambaji Temple - Phone : 02749-262136/ 262930/ 262636