Photo: વિહંગ, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Balaram Ambaji Wildlife Sanctuary is located at Banaskantha, Gujarat, India. It covers 542 km2, and falls in the catchment area of Banas and Sabarmati rivers, and is a part of the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests' ecoregion. The sanctuary borders Rajasthan and close to mount abu. The period from October to May is considered to be the best time to visit.
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An eternal flame in a small shrine on top of the Gabbar hill is visited by pilgrims. The place is considered as the original place where the heart of goddess Amba fell, according to mythical story about the origin of the 51 Shaktipeeths. The hilltop can be reached by a ropeway or climbing about thousand steps.
Go on the Gabbar hill by ropeway. Visit the sacred shrine and have a view of the town and the valley from the top. The Aravalli hill range is visible.
The temple has no statue in the sanctum but a geometric shape matrix called yantra which is venerated. The shikhara of the temple is adorned with gold. The temple is visited by millions every year, especially on full moon days. The major festivals include full moon days of Kartika and Bhadrapada months in Hindu calendar. In Bhadrapada month, thousands of pilgrims visit the temple travelling by foot from far away places. These long streams of padayatri pilgrims come with shrine on wheels, long flags and banners, musical instruments and loudspeakers playing songs. Camps serves these pilgrims with food, drinks and medicines across the travel routes.
Forest garden developed by state government. Good for family picnic.
Kailas Hill
A small Shiva temple is located on hilltop of Kailash Hill. Beautiful place for watching sunset.
Kumbhariyaji
A cluster of five Jain temples built during the rule of Chaulukya dynasty between 11th and 12th centuries. Similar in plan but varying in decorations and construction. The Neminath temple is a central major temple with colossal statues. Reached via shared jeeps or private vehicles from Ambaji. Has boarding and lodging facilities for Jain pilgrims only.