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Ambaji Temple
This is the principal shrine of a goddess who has been worshiped since the pre-Vedic period. She is often referred to as Arasuri Amba, named for the location of the temple in the Arasur hills, near the source of the Saraswati river at the south-western end of the Aravali mountain range.

The red flag above the small temple dances welcomingly in the wind. Made of white marble with gold cones, the temple was originally built by Nagar Brahmins. There is a main entrance in the front and only a small side-door, because it is believed that Mataji (another name for Ambaji) has forbidden the addition of any other door. The temple is surrounded by an open square called chachar chowk where ceremonial sacrifices called havans are performed.

The inner sanctum of the temple has silver-plated doors. There is a gokh, or niche, in the wall on which is fixed a old-plated marble inscription of the Viso Yantra, a Vedic text on sacred geometry, which is the main focus of worship. There is no idol of the goddess, perhaps because the temple is so ancient that it predates idol-worship, but the priests decorate the upper portion of the gokh in such a way that it looks like an idol of a goddess from a distance.

Be sure to look across the temple (i.e. with your back facing the goddess) at the other temple on the Gabbar, considered the original abode of the goddess. At a short distance from the Ambaji temple is a large rectangular kund, with steps on all its four sides, called Mansarovar.

The ecstatic festival of Navratri is celebrated all over Gujarat in reverence of Ambaji, by dancing garba around the Holy Mother. On these nine nights the Nayak and Bhojok communities also perform bhavai theater.

Ambaji temple is open all days of the week, 7:15-11:30am, 12-4:15pm, 6:30-9pm.

There are six other temples in Ambaji: Varahi Mata, Ambikeshwar Mahadev and Ganapati temples are in the chachar chowk, open square, surrounding the temple, while Khodiyar Mata, Ajaya Mata and Hanumanji temples are in the village.





Gabbar
Gabbar (or Gabbargadh), a small hillock about four km to the west of Ambaji village, is believed to have been the original seat of the goddess, the site of Krishna's tonsorial ceremony (ritual head-shaving), and the abode of the divine Mahishasur-Mardini.

The hill is very steep and difficult to climb. There are 300 stone steps at the foot of the hill after which the pilgrims have to climb through a narrow dangerous track. On the flat top of the hill there is a small niche facing the temple of Ambaji, in which a well-protected lamp is kept constantly burning, and can be seen from the main Ambaji temple at night. There are footprints of the Goddess under a pipal tree, which are worshipped.


Koteshwar

Koteshwar is eight kilometers from Ambaji and it is believed to be the source, or gomukh, of one of the present-day Saraswati rivers. Valmiki Ashram and Shakti Ashram are worth seeing here.



Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary

Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary is situated in the Banaskantha district, 45 kms. from Palanpur. Declared as Wildlife Sanctuary in May 1978, this 180.66 sq.km. forest tract of Jessore hill and adjoining areas is endowed with several rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. The forests of the sanctuary play an important role in conservation of depleting Aravali ecosystem. This area act as a buffer and separates the desert ecosystem from the dry deciduous type of ecosystem. The tree clad terrain helps in arresting the process of desertification and advancement of Thar desert.

Located in the folds of Arravali hills. Jessore hill is the second highest peak in Gujarat. The sanctuary is known more for the endangered Sloth Bear. The other important faunal species are leopards, Rhesus macaque, Indian civet cat, porcupine, fox, striped, hyena, wild boar etc.

The multistoried forest provides a suitable habitat for variety of birds ranging from land birds to water birds. As per the IUCN classification many rare and endangered species of birds are also found in this sanctuary. The reptiles include snakes, tortoises and lizards of various types. The rarest Indian Python is observed beyond Muni ji ki kutia.

Post-monsoon to winter is the best time to visit the Sanctuary. The nearest railway stations are Palanpur; 45 kms. and Iqbalgadh; 8 kms. The Nearest airport is Ahmedabad (178 kms).



Poshina

About 18 kms from Ambaji in Sabarkantha district, Poshina takes one back to the simple beauty of traditional village life, populated by a captivating mélange of colorful tribal communities of the Garasias, Bhils and the pastoral Rabaris. Poshina is home to a tribal shrine where you find the staggering scene of thousands of terracotta horses standing in rows as offerings to the local goddess. Nearby villages have similar horses carved in reverence to her divinity. A visit to the homes of the potters who make these striking horses is an excellent glimpse into tribal culture.

In Poshina you find the Darbargadh Poshina, once a palace, and now a welcoming heritage hotel, with huge gateways, a massive dome, numerous pillars and arches, a pleasant courtyard, gardens, lawns and terraces, owned by the descendants of the Chalukyas, whose empire spread through much of Gujarat and Central India in the 12th century. You also find old Jain sandstone temples of Parshvanath and Neminath and an old Shiva temple.

Poshina is host to the famous Chitra-Vichitra fair, at the nearby Gunbhakhari village, a couple of weeks after Holi.



Mangalya Van

Nestled atop a hillock i.e. Kailash tekri around a kilometer and half from the Ambaji Temple on the Khedbrahma Highway is Mangalya Van, a unique garden that is of late drawing hordes of tourists. One has to climb steps to reach Kailash tekri and Mangalya Van, which is also surrounded by water bodies. The van was developed by the forest department and its USP is a unique Rashi Van' (astrological garden) within and a garden of plants, which astrologers say have the same effect as stones on one's life.

All those who come to Mangalya Van invariably enquire about the effects of plants on sun signs and want to take back home a sapling that favors their zodiac sign. They grow it in their backyard or in the vicinity of their house. Around 700 to 800 people visit Mangalya Van every day and on holidays, the number crosses 1,000. Its popularity is picking up fast. Each of the 12 zodiac signs have been given three plants and are planted in 18x18 meter in this garden.


 

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