Ambika Temple, Girnar
| Ambika Temple | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Ambika Temple in 2008 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| Deity | Ambika |
| Location | |
| State | Gujarat |
| Country | India |
  Location in Gujarat  Ambika Temple, Girnar (India) | |
| Geographic coordinates | 21°31′41″N 70°31′38″E / 21.52814°N 70.52723°ECoordinates: 21°31′41″N 70°31′38″E / 21.52814°N 70.52723°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | 15th century |
Ambika Temple, also known as Ambaji Temple, is a temple dedicated to goddess Ambika on Girnar hill in Junagadh, Gujarat, India.
History
The early temple was built before 784 CE (probably in middle of 8th century). An inscription dated Vikram Samvat 1249 (1192 CE) mentions minister Vastupala's pilgrimage to Ambika temple on Raivataka (Girnar) hill. Jinharshasuri mentions that Vastupala and his brother Tejapala visited as well as built the large mandapa of the temple and parikara of Ambika.[1] A praśasti eulogy given at the end in a golden lettered copy of Kalpasutra dated Vikram Samvat 1524 (1468 CE) mentions that a Shreshthi (merchant) named Shamla restored and renovated the Ambika temple on Girnar.[1][2]
The present temple is built around 15th century. So the temple construction, renovation and reconstruction history extends from mid-8th century to 15th century.[1]
Architecture
![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (October 2022) |
The temple is built in traditional Hindu temple architecture of 15th century.[1]
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.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d Tiwari, Maruti Nandan Prasad (1989). Ambikā in Jaina Art and Literature. Bharatiya Jnanpith. p. 145.
- ^ Sompura, Kantilal F. (1968). The Structural Temples of Gujarat, Upto 1600 A.D. Gujarat University. p. 215. ISBN 978-0-86186-245-0.
- ^ Murray, John (1911). "A handbook for travellers in India, Burma, and Ceylon". Internet Archive. pp. 155–157. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
