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News: Ambaji Temple is set to become a tourism hub with the Rinchhadiya Mahadev Lake project, inspired by Nakki Lake.
About Nakki Lake
- Location: Nakki Lake is a lake situated at Mount Abu in Rajasthan.
- It is recognized as the first ever manmade lake in India.
- Height: It is situated at a height of more than 1,200 m.
- Folktale associated with the lake: The Gods of Hindu mythology dug the lake with their nails to escape a demon named Bashkali.
- It was earlier called “Nakh ki Lake” (nails), which later became Nakki Lake.
- It is also a sacred lake for the Garacia tribe of Rajasthan, as it is the place of worship and remembrance of their ancestors.
- People consecrate their nails in the lake during the time of the festival in the Shukla paksha, which is celebrated in April.
- Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were immersed in this holy lake on 12th February 1948, and Gandhi Ghat was constructed.
About Ambaji Temple
- Location: Ambaji Temple is located in Banaskantha, Gujarat.
- It is 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 Aravalli mountain range.
- The temple was originally constructed by Nagar Brahmins.
- It is one of the 51 ancient Shakti Peethas, believed to be where the Goddess Sati’s heart fell. She is often referred to as Arasuri Amba.
- The original seat of Ambaji Mata is on Gabbar hilltop.
- It is known for not having a traditional idol but a holy Vishwa Yantra representing the Goddess. No one can see the Yantra with the naked eye.
- Architecture: It has one main entrance at the front and a small side door.
- The temple premises are surrounded by an open square called Chachar Chowk, where ceremonial havans are performed.
- The inner sanctum features silver-plated doors.
- Inside, there is a gokh (niche) in the wall containing a gold-plated marble inscription of the Vishwa Yantra, a sacred Vedic geometric text and main object of worship.
- The priests decorate the upper part of the gokh to resemble a goddess idol from a distance.
- Fair and Festivals: A grand fair is held on the auspicious occasion of Bhadarvi Poornima (the full moon day).
- Every year in September, devotees from across the country travel on foot to offer their prayers and seek blessings from Maa Ambe.
