Ambaji (Banaskantha/Mehsana region), Gujarat: On this auspicious Bhadrapada Purnima (Bhadarvi Poonam) today – 26th September 2026, the ancient Ambaji Temple, one of the 51 sacred Shaktipeethas, has transformed into a living ocean of devotion.
Lakhs of Sanatani Hindus from across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and beyond have converged on the Arasur hills, many completing arduous padayatras (foot pilgrimages) carrying dhwajas (flags), their chants of “Bol Mari Ambe, Jai Jai Ambe” echoing through the valleys.
Official figures paint a picture of extraordinary faith: more than 18.85 lakh devotees visited in the first three days of the seven-day Bhadarvi Poonam Mahamela (20–26 September), with 7.21 lakh on the third day alone.
By the fifth day the cumulative number had surpassed 34 lakh, and estimates for the full mela approached 40 lakh, reports from the daily Gujarat Samachar confirm.
Temple authorities distributed lakhs of packets of traditional Mohanthal prasad and recorded donations running into crores, while arrangements of rest shelters spanning 12,300 sq m, free food facilities, 38 parking zones, medical camps and a spectacular 450-drone light show blending technology with spirituality ensured the massive gathering remained orderly and joyful.
Another Gujarati newspaper report captured the intensity of recent days: on one pre-Purnima Thursday alone, 3,72,126 devotees took darshan. The temple’s garbhagriha speciality, the sacred Visa Yantra (Shree Yantra), receives special pujan and adornment.
Priests perform rituals from behind a curtain; direct viewing is traditionally forbidden. The Yantra is richly decorated with a crown, earrings and nose-ring, allowing devotees to experience “Saakshaat Shakti” (direct vision of divine power).
The Unique Spiritual Glory of Ambaji for Sanatani Hindus
Ambaji holds a place of profound reverence in the Sanatana tradition.
According to the Tantra Chudamani and Puranic accounts, this is the Shaktipeeth where the heart of Goddess Sati fell after Lord Vishnu’s Sudarshan Chakra dismembered her body to calm Lord Shiva’s Tandava. Hence the name “Ambaji”, the abode of the Mother’s heart.
No anthropomorphic murti resides in the sanctum; instead, the highly sacred Visa Yantra embodies Adya Shakti.
Temple tradition holds that the Goddess’s form mysteriously changes through the day: appearing as a child (Baal Swaroop) in the morning, a young woman (Yuvati) at midday, and an elderly mother (Vruddha) in the evening.
Across the week she is further adorned with different vahanas, horse on Sunday, elephant on Monday, and lion on Tuesday, and so on, culminating in the majestic tiger form associated with Mahishasura-mardini.
These living traditions, rooted in Puranic and Tantric lore, deepen the bhakti of millions.
https://twitter.com/TempleAmbaji/status/2103766449139720324/photo/1
Today’s special focus includes the Maha Gauri form. As explained in temple teachings and shared widely by the official handle on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) @TempleAmbaji: “Maa Parvati performed severe tapasya to attain Lord Shiva. Her body turned dark from the austerity. When Shiva, pleased, bathed her with Ganga water, her complexion became radiant white and luminous. Thus she came to be known as Maha Gauri.”
This form, celebrated especially around Navratri and Purnima, symbolises the purification of the devotee’s soul, destroying adharma and bestowing sukha, shanti and samriddhi (happiness, peace and prosperity).
🙏 મા સિદ્ધિદાત્રી સ્વરૂપનો મહિમા 🌺
બ્રહ્માંડની રચના માટે ભગવાન શિવે આદિ પરાશક્તિની આરાધના કરી. આદિ શક્તિ ભગવાન શિવના અર્ધ દેહમાંથી ‘સિદ્ધિદાત્રી’ સ્વરૂપે પ્રગટ થયાં અને તેમના કારણે ભગવાન શિવનું અર્ધનારીશ્વર સ્વરૂપ રચાયું હોવાનું માનવામાં આવે છે.
સિદ્ધિઓની પ્રાપ્તિ માટે… pic.twitter.com/AxKOEs99Ww
— Ambaji temple official, Gujarat, India (@TempleAmbaji) September 26, 2026
Today’s special focus also includes the Siddhidatri form. As shared by the official temple handle @TempleAmbaji:
“For the creation of the universe, Lord Shiva worshipped Adi Parashakti. Adi Shakti manifested as Siddhidatri from half of Lord Shiva’s body, and due to her, the Ardhanarishwar form of Lord Shiva is believed to have been created. Humans, gods and siddhas worship Maa Siddhidatri for the attainment of siddhis.”
This form, like every swaroop of Maa Amba, carries the divine message of destroying adharma while bestowing sukha, shanti and samriddhi upon devotees.
Voices from the Temple: Official Posts Capture the Divine Atmosphere
The official Ambaji Temple account @TempleAmbaji has been sharing the living pulse of the mela:
🙏 શું તમે જાણો છો? | અંબાજી ધામની અદ્ભુત વિશેષતા 🌺
અંબાજીના ગર્ભગૃહમાં મા અંબાની કોઈ મૂર્તિ નથી, પરંતુ અત્યંત પવિત્ર ‘શ્રી વીસા યંત્ર’ બિરાજમાન છે.અહીં મા અંબાનું દિવ્ય સ્વરૂપ દિવસ દરમિયાન પણ બદલાતું રહે છે. સવારે બાળ સ્વરૂપે, મધ્યાહને યુવતી સ્વરૂપે અને સાંજે વૃદ્ધા સ્વરૂપે… pic.twitter.com/qr1ngPlZNl
— Ambaji temple official, Gujarat, India (@TempleAmbaji) September 26, 2026
On the Visa Yantra and changing forms: “અંબાજીના ગર્ભગૃહમાં મા અંબાની કોઈ મૂર્તિ નથી, પરંતુ અત્યંત પવિત્ર ‘શ્રી વીસા યંત્ર’ બિરાજમાન છે… સવારે બાળ સ્વરૂપે, મધ્યાહને યુવતી સ્વરૂપે અને સાંજે વૃદ્ધા સ્વરૂપે…” (No idol in the sanctum, only the sacred Visa Yantra. Divine darshan as child in morning, young woman at noon, elderly in evening.)
✨ લાખો ચરણ, એક જ લક્ષ્ય… અને મા અંબાનું વાત્સલ્ય! 🚩
ભાદરવી પૂનમના પવિત્ર મહોત્સવે અંબાજી ધામ માત્ર રોશનીથી જ નહીં, પરંતુ લાખો ભક્તોની અખંડ શ્રદ્ધા, આંખોમાં છલકાતા ભાવાશ્રુ અને 'જય મા અંબે'ના દિવ્ય નાદથી જગમગી ઊઠ્યું છે. ભક્તોનો થાક માના એક દર્શન માત્રથી ઓગળી જાય છે.… pic.twitter.com/4wUtcN7k9q
— Ambaji temple official, Gujarat, India (@TempleAmbaji) September 26, 2026
On the sea of devotees: “ લાખો ચરણ, એક જ લક્ષ્ય… અને મા અંબાનું વાત્સલ્ય! ભાદરવી પૂનમના પવિત્ર મહોત્સવે અંબાજી ધામ… લાખો ભક્તોની અખંડ શ્રદ્ધા…” (Lakhs of feet, one goal… and Maa Amba’s motherly love! The sacred Bhadarvi Poonam has made Ambaji Dham resound with unbroken faith.)
🙏 મા કાત્યાયની સ્વરૂપનો મહિમા 🌺
મહાન અસુર મહિષાસુરનો સંહાર કરવા માટે મહર્ષિ કાત્યાયનના આશ્રમમાં મા ભગવતી કાત્યાયની સ્વરૂપે પ્રગટ થયાં.
અસુરોનો સંહાર કરી દેવોને મુક્તિ અપાવવા માટે મા કાત્યાયનીએ આ તેજસ્વી અને શક્તિશાળી સ્વરૂપ ધારણ કર્યું હોવાનું માનવામાં આવે છે.
મા અંબાનું… pic.twitter.com/aEdprziwSm
— Ambaji temple official, Gujarat, India (@TempleAmbaji) September 26, 2026
On Maha Gauri: “મા પાર્વતીએ ભગવાન શિવને પામવા કઠોર તપસ્યા કરી… ‘મહાગૌરી’ કહેવાયા.” (The story of Parvati’s tapas and the emergence of the radiant Maha Gauri form.)
Aarti and darshan videos show the sanctum glowing with diyas, flower garlands of marigold and jasmine, and the red-clad, heavily ornamented form of the Mother, while devotees overflow with emotion.
These posts, accompanied by images of the richly adorned Goddess and artistic depictions of Shiva performing Ganga abhishek on Parvati to reveal Maha Gauri, have amplified the spiritual fervour nationwide.
A Living Tradition of Padayatra and Collective Bhakti
The Bhadarvi Poonam mela is far more than a fair, it is a centuries-old yatra tradition. Historical accounts trace organised padyatra sanghs back to at least 1841, when 51 Brahmins first undertook the journey in fulfilment of a vow.
Today more than 1,600 registered sanghs (and countless unregistered groups) walk hundreds of kilometres, many barefoot, carrying the Mother’s flag. Folk arts, Garba, Bhavai, and continuous Devi Saptashati recitations fill the nights.
The mela also marks a spiritual transition: after Purnima begins Pitru Paksha, so devotees invite Maa Amba into their homes before the ancestral fortnight.
For Sanatani Hindus, Ambaji is not merely a destination; it is the living heart of Shakti. In an age of rapid change, the sight of millions walking in simple faith, seeking the formless yet ever-present Mother through the sacred Yantra, reaffirms the timeless message of Sanatana Dharma: Shakti is the primordial power that sustains, protects and liberates.
As the final aarti lamps flicker under the full moon tonight and the chants rise once more, “Jai Ambe, Jai Jagadamba”, Ambaji stands as a radiant testament to the unbroken bhakti of Bharat. Maa Amba’s blessings of sukha, shanti and samriddhi flow to all who seek her with pure hearts.
Jai Maa Ambe! Jai Arasuri Ambaji!
