Holy Mountain of Gabbar at Main Ambaji Temple, Gujarat State in India

The goddess Ambaji is considered as the family goddess for almost all the Hindus, particularly for the Brahmins and Nagar casts in India. These casts pray Ambaji Mata with great faith and have lot of trust in her. The main temple of Amba Mata is situated at the town of Ambaji in the North Gujarat in India. The holy mountain of Gabbar is also situated only around 3 miles away from the main temple of Amba Mata.

The town of Ambaji is situated around 120 miles away from Ahmedabad. One can reach this holy town by the State transport buses or hired cars and taxis. The road condition is extremely nice and it is very easy and comfortable to drive up to Ambaji. Thousands of pilgrims come here at Ambaji temple. Almost all the pilgrims visiting the temple of Ambaji make sure to visit to the holy mountain Gabbar, which is situated very near to the town of Ambaji. The hired cars and jeeps are available from the town center of Ambaji to go to Gabbar Mountain. Such cars and jeeps charge around Rs.300 ($2.50) per vehicle for to and fro visit. It takes only around 15 minutes to reach to the base of this holy mountain Gabbar. Once you reach the base of Gabbar, you will have to start climbing over the mountain. The climb of this holy mountain Gabbar is quiet steep and difficult and the aged and physically weak people must not attempt to climb it.

There are no solid concrete steps up to the top of the mountain but it is a steep, tough climb on a sloppy road. The story of importance of this holy mountain states that one poor fellow saw one most beautiful cow on this mountain in the forest. He took this cow for taking food in the open grass fields. The cow finally reached to the top of the Gabbar Mountain. The poor person saw Ambaji Mata herself, sitting on a rocking seat. She was very much pleased with the poor person, as he has provided food to Mataji's cow, and gave him some wheat as a gift. The poor person was disappointed and went home without taking those wheat particles. When he reached the house, he saw some gold particles in the cloth that he has used for collecting wheat, presented by Ambaji Mata. He realized that the wheat particles received by him had converted in to gold. He rushed back to the spot where he had seen Mataji and the beautiful cow. But he could not find them. Since then, it is believed that Ambaji Mata stays on top of the Gabbar Mountain and the sound of her rocking is also heard by some very faithful pilgrims on the top of the Gabbar mountain behind the rocks of the temple. That is the reason why all the pilgrims climb this mountain. It is a belief that the pilgrimage of Amba Mata is not considered complete till the visit to the Gabbar Mountain is completed.

It takes around half an hour to reach up to the top of the Gabbar Mountain. It is better to take up this climb during the early morning hours so as to beat the severe heat of this region. Though, the government has started building the concrete steps to the top, it may take couple of years to complete the entire job. The work of the ropeway train is also in progress. The pilgrims would then be able to reach up to the top of the mountain through this ropeway train. There is also a temple of Amba Mata at the top of Gabbar. Nobody is allowed to stay on top of Gabbar for the night. The priests of the temple also get down everyday after the evening arti, after lighting a small lamp that lasts whole night. This lamp can be seen from the entrance door of the main Mataji temple situated in the town of Ambaji.

I have visited this holy mountain and the temple in last December and enjoyed the visit fully. There are some good hotels like Hotel Amba, Hotel Navyug, and Hotel Swagat here at Ambaji. These hotels provide double room with the attached bath and the toilet at the rates of around Rs.250 ($6.0) per day. There are many restaurants also available, which are serving Gujarati food delicacies. Such Gujarati thali costs Rs.50 ($1.25). It is better if you carry your drinking water supply with you as the drinking water here is contaminated with salt deposits. Many of my Indian friends may not have visited this holy mountain of Gabbar, while visiting the famous temple of Ambaji. My only request to them is to make sure to visit this holy mountain of Gabbar during their next trip to Ambaji.