Bhadrapada ambaji mela

Introduction

One of the most ancient and revered temples in India, is the temple ofBhadrapadaa Ambaji fair is an annual fair held in the Ambaji village, near the temple, where Lakhs of devotees gather from all sects and communities to offer prayers to goddess Amba and perform religious rituals. goddess Ambaji, situated in the Ambaji village in Gujarat.

The fair has special significance for the farmers as the month of the fair-Bhadrapadaa, indicates the end of a long and tiring month of monsoon harvests.

When is it held?

Bhadrapada Ambaji fair is held every year in August-September at Ambaji. It corresponds to Hindu month of Bhadrapada. This fair is specifically more important to farmers as it symbolizes the end of busy monsoon season for them.

Upcoming years:

23rd September 2010 (Thursday)
12th September 2011 (Monday)
30th September 2012 (Sunday)
19th September 2013 (Thursday

Multicultural Fair:

Over the years the fair is becoming very popular. According to statistics, around 15 Lakhs people are supposed to attend the fair this year. One noticeable feature is that, not only Hindus, but Jains, Sikhs, and even Muslims attend this Mela.

The reasons might be different for all of them, but, the basic fact remains that it has truly become a multicultural fair and a culmination of many traditions and religions.

History

As the fair and its origin is quite ancient, there are many legends and stories associated mythologicaly and historically to it.

• Mahishasur-mardini (the destroyer of Mahishasur)
  
  
  The demon Mahishasur, was given a boon by the fir God (Agni), according to which, any weapon that had a masculine name couldn’t do anything to harm him. Taking the advantage of this boon, he caused immense destruction and hatred. The gods were very tensed and worried about this fact, they consulted Lord Vishnu over it, who advised them to invoke Goddess Shakti. With God’s prayers, a divine luster sprang from the heart of Lord Shiva and bodies of all gods forming the Adhya Shakti. The gods then gave her ornaments, and a lion as a vehicle. She was supposed to fight Mahishasur, the demon. For nine continuous days and nights, Goddess Adhya Shakti fought the demon-Mahishasur, and finally emerged victorious at the end. After the ferocious battle she chose the Ambaji Gabbar as her permanent residence.
  

• Shakti Peethas: 
  The daughter of King Daksha Prajapati, Sati, married Lord Shiva, against her father’s wishes. Angry with his daughter and disgusted with her behavior, the king invited all the gods and goddess for a Yagna excluding Lord Shiva.
  Not listening to Shiva’s instructions, Sati went ahead to attend the Yagna organized by her father. Ignoring his daughter’s presence the king kept on insulting Lord Shiva. Not able to bear this, Sati jumped into Yagna’s fire and sacrificed her life. Agitated with this, Shiva, erupted into Tadavaa (a violent dance of destruction) and destroyed everything at the venue. He then carried the burnt body of his wife in the air. Gods and goddess then appealed to Lord Vishnu, to calm Shiva. Vishnu’s sudershan charka split the body of sati into 51 pieces that flew in different directions and the places where these pieces fell are known as Shakti Peethas. Her heart fall on the same place where the Ambaji temple is now located
  
  
  
  

Celebrations

Although devotees from all caste and creed gather here, it is particularly sacred to the Sangha (pilgrims) community. Many activities consume the time of the fair and engage devotees throughout the fair.

• Many of the Sangh pilgrims are seen going on their foot , but, as the time of the fair (month of Bhadrapadaa) is very serene, and fresh, this practice becomes a memorable experience as all fields are green and the air is full of freshness.

• Most of the pilgrims attending the fair are engaged in devotional prayers and songs. They also visit the temples and places nearby.

• Readings of Saptashati (700 verses in praise of Goddess Amba) is very popular among the devotees.

• Apart from the permanent shops, there many temporary shops exhibiting games, magic, handicrafts, accessories, statues of gods and goddess, amulets, bamboo etc, which is a very attractive feature for tourists coming from outside India.

• BHAVAI: The Sanghas on the night of full moon arrange a performance of a traditional folk dance called Bhavai.

• GARBA: Is a very important part of any fair and festival of Gujarat. In Ambaji fair also, garba is performed with sticks and instruments like pakhwaj, hungal and jhanjh are played.

Where is it held

The Bhabrapad fair is held at Ambaji which is in the Danta Taluka of Banaskantha district; near the Gujarat-Rajasthan border.The place is accessible from many places by road like Mount abu (45 Kms away) .

Ambaji:

Ambaji is the shrine of Goddess Arasuri Amba, named after the location of the temple , which is at Asura hills. These hills are a source to river saraswati .There is silver plated doors in the inner sanctum of the temple.

There is a wall in the temple which has a fixed gold plated marble inscription of the Viso-Yantra. This wall also has a gokh. As the temple is very old perhaps even before idol worship had started as there is no idol placed in the temple. But, the priests at the temple decorate the gokh so beautifully that from distance it appears to be like a goddess.

Nearby destinations:

Places near the temple that can be of tourist attraction are:

1. The Jain temples of Kumbhariyaji (located 7 kms away)
2. Koteshwar
3. Poshina
4. Taranga Hills
5. Polo Monuments
6. Vijaynagar Forest