THE ETERNITY OF DIVINITY

Shreya Gohel

Preface

Ambaji-the Origin of the Supreme Cosmic Power of the Universe is one of the fifty-one 51 ancient Shakti Piths Tirth in India. There are twelve 12 main Shakti Pith Tirth, significant places of pilgrimage for the worship of Shakti, namely, Bhagwati Mahakali Maha Shakti at Ujjain, Mata Kamakshi at Kanchi Puram, Bramaramba at Malaygiri, Kumarika at Kanya Kumari, Ambaji at Anart-Gujarat Mahalaxmi at Kohlapur, Devi Lalita at Prayag, Vindhyavasini at Vindhya, Vishalakshi at Varanasi, Mangalavati at Gaya and Sundari Bhavani at Bangal & Guhyakesari in Nepal.

Outline

The Great Miracle of this Holy Place is that there is no idol or picture in the Nij Mandir 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 Bijpatra(Letters) therein, like that of the original Yantras of Nepal and Ujjain Shakti Piths, is ritually installed in such a way it can be visible for devotion, but it was never photographed in past nor future.

In more detail

Just 5 km away from Ambaji Temple, The famous mountain of Gabbar is situated on the border of the State of Gujarat and Rajasthan, near the flow of the origin of the famous Vedic virgin river SARASWATI, on the hills of Arasur in the forest, towards the south-west side to ancient hills of Aravalli, at the altitude of about 480 meters, at about 1600 feet high from sea level, having at 8.33 sq km (5 sq. miles area ) area as a whole, and it is, in fact, one of the Fifty One (51) famous ancient (Pauranik) Shakti Piths – The Centre of Cosmic Power of India and it is the original holy place of Mata Ambaji, where the piece of the heart of the dead body of Devi Sati fell at the top of this holy hill of Gabbar as per the legend narrated in the “Tantra Chudamani”.  

The Holy Gokh of Mata Ambaji with Shakti Yantra is so decorated by the Pujari of the Holy temple that one can imagine it as an idol of Mata Ambica in one of her incarnations.

At the cost of about Rs.42.86 lakhs, Shri Arasuri Ambaji Mata Devasthan Trust has now already developed a big Havan Shala, containing one main Havan Kund and eight small Havan Kund in the western southern part of the Chachar Chowk near Nij Mandir, as shown beside.

The Main 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 are 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 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.

gabbar tirth

Whenever any of the 51 holy parts and ornaments of the dead body of Devi Sati fell on this earth, all such places are known as the famous 51 Shakti Pith- center of cosmic power. Thus, Shri Arasuri Ambaji Shakti Pith is one of them where the heart of Devi Sati fell at the top of the Gabbar, as described in the scripture “Tantra Chudamani”.

According to the Indian Scriptures Gabbar Tirth, situated on the bank of the origin of the Vedic virgin river SARASWATI, in the hills of Arasur in Ambica forest, towards the south-west side to old hills of Aravalli is one of the Fifty One (51) famous Ancient Pauranik Shakti Piths in India.

 In Accordance with the legend in Devi Bhagvat, Mahisasur was a dangerous demon to the whole universe, therefore all the Gods under the leadership of Tridev Brahma (Lord of Creation), Vishnu (Lord of Maintenance), & Mahesh (Lord of Destruction) ultimately went to the final recourse to the Mahadevi AdhyaShakti, the Supreme Original cosmic Power of the Universe and worshipped her for rescue and help. And then AdhyaShakti incarnated on earth with weapons surrounded by a bright circle of sunny rays, so as The Atomic Energy emerges from its origin and Devi killed and absorbed the demon Mahishasur by her sword and since then she became known in the world as “Mahishasur Mardini”.

Gabbar (the holy mountain) has its significant glory cited during different ages. They are noted below: 

• Gabbar in Ramayan:

As per a legend said in Ramayan, Lord Rama and Laxman came to Ashram of Shrungi Rushi in search of Sitaji, where they were told to worship Devi Ambaji at Gabbar. And Rama did so and Jagat Mata Shakti (The Mother of Energy of the whole Universe) Devi Ambaji gave him a miraculous arrow namely “Ajay”, with the help of which Rama conquered and killed his enemy Ravan in the war.

• Mundan of Lord Krishna:

It is also a legend that the hairs of holy child Lord Krishna were also removed here on this Gabbar hill, as a holy ritual ceremony of hair removing Mundan, in presence of his foster parents Nand and Yashoda, who had worshiped Devi Ambaji and Lord Shiva, during the period of Dwapar yuga.

• Sword of Rana Pratap:

The Well Known Rajput King of Mewar, Maha Rana Pratap was a true devotee of Arasuri Amba Bhawani. He was once saved by Mata Ambaji, so he had gifted and dedicated his famous sword to the holy feet of Mata Arasuri Ambaji.

 The Legend of Maha Maya

It is believed that a couple named Mangal and his wife, a devotee couple of Mata Ambaji used to go for cow grazing near Gabbar hill, where they saw an unknown white cow usually grazing near their ones and disappearing over Gabbar hill. So one day they followed this cow and went on the hills of Gabbar and reached at night to a big ground, floored with marbles, and wonderful pillars and torans with the doors of heaven which opened simply by the voice of this holy cow Kamdhenu and they found the Goddess Adhya Shakti sitting in her palace. So this cow grazing couple requested for remuneration from Amba Mata, for the service of cow grazing job for that wonderful white cow and the Goddess gave them some grains of Jav (barley), but they threw the invaluable grains on the hills of Gabbar but in the morning they found some of the grains made of gold. So they repented and went back on the hills to see Mata Ambaji and worshipped for mercy without any ax to grind. Ultimately Mataji pleased and graced to reincarnate as their daughter in the future. And then the couple born again as Nand and Yashoda, the foster parents of Lord Krishna. And Mata Ambaji reincarnated as their daughter Maha Maya, who disappeared in jail, after warning Raja Kans.

Origin of Navratri festival

As per Mahabharat, on the Full Moon Day Purnima of the month of Bhadrapad (Bhadarva Mas) Princess Rukshamani had worshiped her Kul- Devi Mata Ambica on the mountain of Gabbar Hill, to invite her beloved Lord Krishna, to abduct her from her Swayamvar to marry and Mata Ambica gave her a boon to achieve her goal to marry Lord Krishna, as against the wish of her brother and relatives and other kings. And Princess Rukshamani wedded with Lord Krishna and became Pat-Rani, the main Queen and had celebrated the well known Indian Festival of Navratri, for the first time on this earth, in the Garbh- Deep Nrutya in Gujarati Garba Style, with her friends & relatives in Dwarka.

The glorious temples of India are truly the epitome of the Sanatan Dharma and the Ambaji temple of Gujarat be one of its kind.

DISCLAIMER: The author is solely responsible for the views expressed in this article. The author carries the responsibility for citing and/or licensing of images utilized within the text.