Gabbar Hill Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad is the closest airport, about 185 km away.

• By train

  The nearest railway station is Abu Road, about 20 km away.

• By road

  Frequent buses run to Ambaji from Ahmedabad, Palanpur and Mount Abu.

On the way

• Climb 999 steps, or take the aerial ropeway.
• The ropeway launched in 1998 and gives views of Ambaji town and the Aravalli forests.

Rules to know

• Stand peacefully in the darshan queue and cooperate with the security staff.
• Mobile phones, cameras and electronic gadgets are not allowed inside the temple premises.

Why devotees come here

Gabbar Hill rises 4.5 km southwest of Ambaji town in Banaskantha district, Gujarat. The original seat of Ambaji Mata is on its hilltop, and the hill is counted among the 51 Shaktipeeths. You can climb to the shrine or take the aerial ropeway.

Gabbar is counted among the 51 Shaktipeeths. The official site says it is believed to be where the Saraswati river begins, in the Arasur hills. The original seat of Ambaji Mata is on the hilltop.

Local lore tells a different story for the town below. Amba agreed to follow a king of Danta down to the foothills, on one condition: he must never look back. In the lore, he broke his promise, and she halted at the town temple.

Amba is worshipped here as the Vishwa Yantra, a triangular yantra inscribed with figures and the syllable Shree at its centre, rather than as a statue. After 1947 the shrine was rebuilt in white marble to withstand the hill climate. The town temple is built of white marble with gold cones, and Nagar Brahmins originally built it.

Festivals

• SeptemberBhadarvi Poonam

  A big religious fair, organised by the trust with the whole district administration.

• NavratriNavratri

  Garba is danced in Chachar Chowk for all nine days, and the Danta royal family holds a havan, a fire ritual.

Tips for your visit

• Wheelchairs and help for senior citizens are at the VIP Plaza by the Main Shakti Gate.
• Collect a receipt after any donation or offering.

Questions people ask