Reckoned among one of the revered religious places in Rajasthan, the Ambika Mata Temple, Udaipur is situated at a distance of about 50 kms south east of Udaipur. The construction of Ambika Mata Temple in Udaipur can be traced back to 961 AD. The temple is dedicated to Ambika, the Hindu Mother Goddess with the lion as her mount.
Primarily venerated as a Hindu deity, the Ambika Mata also has a Jain connection. As far as the legend goes, the goddess is said to have manifested herself in a vision in which she had instructed Vimala to build a temple in Mount Abu. Udaipur’s Ambika Mata Temple was possibly constructed during the reign of either Rawal Allat or Rawal Narwahan, by Samvapura, son of Valluba. The shrine has borne the brunt of the ravages of time and is now in a dilapidated state.
In the Ambika Mata Temple in Udaipur, the principle image is worshipped as Shakti, or source of energy. The temple is graced with exquisite and intricate sculptural works. Apart from the principle image of Durga, the temple houses the images of a number of other female divinities. The way in which the sculptures have been preserved till date is indeed laudable.
The careful detailing would awe even a casual on looker. The way the carvings are arranged and the skill and the hard work that have gone into them lend an aesthetic charm to the temple. The central theme around which Ambika Mata Temple in Udaipur has been constructed is that of a mountain palace. The temple tower is beautifully adorned with intricate motifs and is flanked by small shikhara towers.
