- Ambika (Jainism)
Ambika or Ambika Devi is the "IAST|Yakṣi" (dedicated attendant deity) or the "IAST|Śāsana Devī" (protector goddess) of the 22nd
Tirthankara Neminatha . Sheis also known as "Ambai", "Amba" and "Amra Kushmandini".The popular worship of female principle as the "Mother", representing fertility cult, was adopted by the Jainas in the form of an early IAST|Yakṣi "Bahu-putrika", who towards the end of 6th century CE was transformed into IAST|Yakṣi Ambika.
Iconogrpahy
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 her one left hand she carries a rein and in the other she has her two sons, Priyankara and Shubhankara.
The temples of Ambika Devi
The major temples of Ambika Devi include:
* "SriNeminath AdhisthayakaNagotra Solanki Gotriya Kuladevi Sri Ambikadevi Jinalaya" in Santhu near Bagra, inJalore district ofRajasthan state.
* Sri Kuladevi Ambikadevi Jain Temple,Takhatgarh inPali district of Rajasthan state.
* Sri Kuladevi Ambikadevi Jain Temple, Padarli in Rajathan state.References
# Tiwari, M.N.P. (1989). "Ambika in Jaina arts and literature", New Delhi: Bharatiya Jnanpith.
Photo Gallery
External links
* [http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_image.aspx?
]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/httpwwwflickercomphotossanthu/2780932277/in/photostream/ An Image of Yaksha & Yakshini of 22nd Trithankara Neminatha]
* [http://family.webshots.com/album/565683563kxejXU Album of Photographs of Sri Ambika Devi]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/httpwwwflickercomphotossanthu/2781435310/ An Image of Ambikadevi, Munigiri, Tamil Nadu]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/httpwwwflickercomphotossanthu/2830499057/ A Picture of Ambikadevi, Jain Thirthankaras & Acharyas]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/httpwwwflickercomphotossanthu/2780932635/ An Image of Ambikadevi in Chennai Museum]
* [http://family.webshots.com/photo/2272257090103938557juwbam One of the Image of Ambikadevi carved in varous forms at Jagat]
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