Ambika Temple, also known as Ambaji Temple, is a temple dedicated to goddess

Ambika Ambika may refer to: Mythology * Ambika (goddess), an avatar of the Hindu goddesses Durga, Parvati, and Shakti * Ambika (Jainism), a Jain Yakshini goddess * Ambika (Mahabharata), the wife of Vichitravirya was also the mother of Dhritarashtra, th ...

on Girnar hill in Junagadh,

Gujarat Gujarat (, ) is a state along the western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the fifth-largest Indian state by area, covering some ; and the ninth ...

, India. The earliest mention of the temple is recorded in the 8th century. The present temple was built in the 15th century.

History

The early temple was built before 784 CE (probably in middle of the 8th century) because Digambara Acharya Jinasen's ''Harivamsapurana'' ( Saka Samvat 705, 783 CE) mentions the temple. An inscription dated Vikram Samvat 1249 (1192 CE) mentions Vaghela minister Vastupala's pilgrimage to Ambika temple on Raivataka (Girnar) hill. Narendraprabhsuri mentions that Vastupala had installed idols of himself and his brother Tejapala in the temple. Jinharshasuri mentions that Vastupala and his brother Tejapala visited as well as built the large ''

mandapa A mandapa or mantapa () is a pillared hall or pavilion for public rituals in Indian architecture, especially featured in Hindu temple architecture. Mandapas are described as "open" or "closed" depending on whether they have walls. In temples, ...

'' of the temple and ''parikara'' of Ambika. A ''praśast''i eulogy given at the end in a golden lettered copy of ''

Kalpasutra Kalpasutra may refer to: * Kalpa (Vedanga) Kalpa ( sa, कल्प) means "proper, fit" and is one of the six disciplines of the Vedānga, or ancillary science connected with the Vedas – the scriptures of Hinduism. This field of study is foc ...

'' dated Vikram Samvat 1524 (1468 CE) mentions that a Shreshthi (merchant) named Samal Sah restored and renovated the Ambika temple on Girnar. As mentioned in Jain pilgrimage travelogues, the temple had

as a Jain ''yakshika'' deity. The Girnar ''patta'' from Samvat 1507 in Ranakpur Jain temple also depicts Ambika in the similar manner. The temple is built according to the Jain tradition and the ''mandapa'' ceiling match with the

Girnar Jain temples The group of temples of Jainism are situated on the Mount Girnar situated near Junagadh in Junagadh district, Gujarat, India. These temples are sacred to both Digambara and the Svetambara branches of Jainism. In Jainism According to Jain re ...

. ambaji is holy place for Hindu & Jain . The present temple is built around the 15th century. Temple was historically a Jain style Temple, due to Same Faith & Symbol of Jain-Hindu Ekta pilgrimages in Girnar. So the temple construction, renovation and reconstruction history extends from the mid-8th century to the 15th century.

Architecture

The present temple is built in the traditional Indian temple architecture of the late 15th century.

Pilgrimage

The temple is much resorted to by newly married couples. The bride and bridegroom have their clothes tied together, and attended by their male and female relations, adore the goddess and present coconuts and other offerings. This pilgrimage is supposed to procure for the couple along continuance of wedded bliss. The temple is visited by Hindu as well as Jain pilgrims.

References

{{Hindu temples in Gujarat Hindu temples in Gujarat Shakti temples Tourist attractions in Junagadh district Māru-Gurjara architecture

History

Architecture

Pilgrimage

See also

References