Ambad

Ambad (Marathi: अंबड) is a city and a municipal council in Jalna district in the state of Maharashtra, India. Ambad is notable for its temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Matsyodari. In October of each year, devotees of the goddess gather in Ambad for the Hindu festival of Dashahara. A local tradition claims that the name "Ambad" was given to this city by a Hindu Raja named Ambar Rishi. According to this tradition, Raja Ambar would worship the goddess on a rock hill which resembled a fish. Because of this fish-shaped rock hill, the goddess was named Matsydari ("in the stomach of fish"). The temple was constructed by Ahilya Devi Holkar, who also has developed Ambad by constructing Pushkarini and Kavandi (water reservoirs). Ambad is 2nd by population in Jalan district.

Geography

Ambad is located at .^[1] It has an average elevation of 530 metres (1,740 ft).

Demographics

As of the 2001^[update] India census,^[2] Ambad had a population of 26,096. Males constitute 53% of the population, and females 47%. Ambad has an average literacy rate of 65%, which is higher than the national average of 59.5%. 15% of the population is under 6 years of age.

References