Gandhinagar: Amidst the ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, a similar grand convergence is set to take place in Gujarat. The 51 Shaktipeeth Parikrama Mahotsav will witness lakhs of devotees at the Ambaji Shaktipeeth, located in Danta Taluka of Banaskantha District, which is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths.

The three-day 51 Shaktipeeth Parikrama Mahotsav will begin on February 9 at the Shri Arasuri Ambaji Mata Temple in Gujarat, which is famous as a pilgrimage site across India. Lakhs of devotees are expected to flock to this three-day festival, which will last until February 11. The tradition of this Parikrama festival, started by the then Chief Minister of Gujarat and the current Prime Minister Narendra Modi. All preparations for the 51 Shaktipeeth Parikrama Mahotsav have been made this year as well by the Gujarat Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board (GPYVB) and the district administration.

Devotees coming to Ambaji Shaktipeeth, one of the 51 Shaktipeeths of Mata Parvati, will have the opportunity to have darshan of all the Shaktipeeths, including Ambaji. In 2004, the then Chief Minister Modi envisioned the establishment of replicas of all the Shaktipeeths of Maa Parvati at Ambaji. He himself performed the foundation stone-laying ceremony of these 51 Shaktipeeths, and the work was completed in 2014. From the year 2022, the state government, GPYVB, and the district administration have jointly started the celebration of the state-level Parikrama Mahotsav.

The number of devotees in the 51 Shaktipeeth Parikrama Mahotsav has been continuously increasing every year. Last year, about 13 lakh 15 thousand devotees circumambulated the 51 Shaktipeeths during the festival, while this year, this number is likely to cross 15 lakh.

Darshan of All Shaktipeeths in One Lifetime, at One Place

Shri Rameshbhai Merja, Member Secretary of Gujarat Pavitra Yatra Dham Vikas Board, said that the 51 Shaktipeeth Mahotsav is organized at Ambaji every year from Maha Sud 12 to Maha Sud 14, and according to the date, this year, the festival will be held from February 9 to 11. GPYVB and Banaskantha District Administration have made all kinds of facilities, including free food, for the devotees coming to the 51 Shaktipeeth Parikrama Mahotsav. The main mantra of this festival is “The opportunity to have darshan of all 51 Shaktipeeths in one lifetime, at one place.”

51 Shaktipeeth Parikrama Mahotsav 2025 Programs

On the first day of the 51 Shaktipeeth Parikrama Mahotsav, February 9, Palkhi Yatra, Ghanti Yatra, and Dhaja Yatra will be taken out. In addition, there will be programs like blessings from leaders/religious leaders of various religious institutions, Shakti Yajna at the Shaktipeeth premises, Bhajan Satsang by Bhajan Mandals, Garba of Anand, Parikrama Yatra by various Mandals, cultural programs, and yatras by departments like Forest, Police, Health, etc.

On the second day, February 10, Palkhi Yatra, Paduka Yatra, and Chamar Yatra will be taken out. During this time, blessings from leaders/religious leaders of various religious institutions, continuous Anand’s Garba, Shakti Yajna at the Shaktipeeth premises, Bhajan Satsang by Bhajan Mandals, Parikrama Yatra by various Mandals and Societies, Night Parikrama Darshan Competition, and cultural programs will be organized.

On February 11, Palkhi Yatra, Mashal Yatra, Jyot Yatra, and Trishul Yatra will be organized. On the third day, blessings from leaders/religious leaders of various religious institutions, Shakti Yajna at the Shaktipeeth premises, Mantrotsav, Flower Shower by Drone, Bhajan Satsang by Bhajan Mandals, Parikrama Yatra by various Mandals, cultural programs, and Aarti at 12 midnight on the peak of Gabbar will be organized.

Aarti-Darshan and Cultural Programs

The GPYVB and the district administration have made extensive preparations for the approximately 15 lakh devotees who will be attending the 51 Shaktipeeth Parikrama Mahotsav. The timings of Aarti-Darshan in Ambaji Temple during the festival have been announced. According to the schedule, the morning Aarti will be held from 7:30 to 8:00 am, with darshan from 9:30 to 11:30 am. Darshan will be closed from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, and will continue from 12:30 to 4:30 pm. Darshan will be closed again from 4:30 to 7:00 pm. The evening Aarti will be held from 7:00 to 7:30 pm, with evening darshan available from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.

During the three-day festival, a cultural program will be held in front of D. K. Trivedi Bungalows on Khedbrahma Road in Ambaji from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM from February 9 to 11. A light and sound show will also be held at Gabbar from 7:00 PM to 7:45 PM, along with the evening aarti on all three days.

Free Food Arrangements

Along with this, the Ambaji Temple Trust has arranged free food at seven locations for devotees attending the festival. Free food will be provided to pilgrims at Ambika Restaurant-Ambaji, GMDC Ground-Ambaji, Mangalya Van on the way (Shanti Van), New College, Danta Road, and RTO Checkpost-Abu Highway. Additionally, free food arrangements have been made for officers and staff at Gabbar Road-One Chetna Kendra and for police personnel at Gabbar – Chundivala Mataji.

Free Bus Service from Parking Areas

Parking arrangements have been made to accommodate the large number of devotees. Free temporary parking has been designated for pilgrims arriving by ST buses at RTO Circle Road, the Civil Hospital area opposite New College, GMDC Ground, and Shanti Van. Parking for private vehicles has been arranged at Survey No. 90, Old College Road (Hadad Road), Diwaliba Guru Bhavan, opposite Shakti Dwar, opposite Kailash Tekri, opposite Apeshwar Mahadev Temple, and next to Savita Govind Sadan.

Additionally, free mini-buses have been arranged to transport devotees from the parking areas to the Parikrama Mahotsav venue. DeshGujarat