Ambika (Jainism)

An image of Ambika in Cave 34 of the Ellora Caves

In Jainism, Ambika (Sanskrit: अम्बिका, Oriya: ଅମ୍ବିକା Ambikā "Mother") or Ambika Devi (अम्बिका देवी Ambikā Devī "the Goddess-Mother") is the Yakṣi "dedicated attendant deity" or Śāsana Devī "protector goddess" of the 22nd Tirthankara, Neminath. She is also known as Ambai, Amba and Amra Kushmandini.

Ambika idol from Orissa carved during 1150-1200 AD

Iconography

According to the tradition, her colour is golden and her vehicle is lion. She has four arms. In her two right hands she carries a mango and in the other a branch of a mango tree. In one of her left hands, she carries a rein and in the other she has her two sons, Priyankara and Shubhankara.

The temples of Ambika Devi

Shri Kuldevi Ambikadevi Jinalaya, Santhu Bagra (Marwar), Jalore, Rajasthan, India.

The major temples of Shri Ambika Devi include:

References

  1. Tiwari, M.N.P. (1989). Ambika in Jaina arts and literature, New Delhi: Bharatiya Jnanpith.

Photo gallery

External links

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