18 lakhs participate in Ambaji mela

Ambaji, Gujarat, Sep 27 (UNI) The largest religious mela at the pilgrim town of Ambaji concluded today, with 18 lakh devotees participating in it.

Thousands of devotees enjoyed their stay, amid rains, on 13 km-long Trishula Ghat, where stalls were put up.

''The climb through Trishulia Ghat and 21 km-long Amba Ghat was tiresome. However, the enthusiasm of the devotees was exemplary,'' a tourist to this pilgrim town told UNI.

However, millions of devotees who converge here every year, probably do not know that the shrine does not have an idol, instead they take a darshan of a copper plate.

The priest attending the Abhya Shakti and other rituals in Ambaji temple disclosed that the slot covered with the colorful costumes is actually Jantra's plate carved with sacred figures.

According to information officer Manish Shishodiya at Ambaji, Godess Amba is worshipped here in the form of Jantra, which represents the omni presence of the Goddess.

''It is not the only place in the country even at Vaishnov Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmir, the Goddess is worshipped sans idol,'' said District Collector Banaskantha Hareet Shukla, who is also the chairman of Ambaji Temple Trust.

UNI