About Ranchhodraiji Temple, Dakor
The Shri Ranchhodraiji Maharaj Temple stands beside the Gomti lake in the middle of Dakor's main bazaar, in Thasra taluka of Kheda district, Gujarat. Lord Krishna is worshipped here as Ranchhodrai, the one who left the battlefield. The black touchstone image, about a metre tall, is a standing four-armed form of Vishnu holding conch, discus, lotus and mace, with a small golden flute added to mark him as Krishna. Dakor is one of the most important Vaishnava pilgrimages in Gujarat, and every Purnima, especially Sharad Purnima and Kartik Purnima, thousands of devotees walk here from distant towns.
According to the Dakor Mahatmya, the Rajput devotee Bodana, also called Vijaysinh, lived in Dakor and visited Dwarka every year. When he grew old, tradition says the Lord promised to come to him, and in 1151 Bodana brought the image from Dwarka in a bullock cart, Krishna himself driving while he slept. When the Dwarka priests came to reclaim it, Bodana's wife Ganga offered its weight in gold, and miraculously her single gold nose-ring outweighed the image. Vallabhite worship was introduced in 1625 by Harirayji. The present temple was built from 1769–70 by Gopal Jagannath Tambvekar, a financier at the Peshwa's court in Pune, whose descendants still serve here.
The temple is enclosed by fort-like walls and crowned by eight domes and many turrets, with a central spire about 27 metres tall topped by a golden kalash and a white silk flag. Its outline shows the influence of Maharashtrian temple design. The mandapa rises on a platform twelve steps high, so the aarti can be seen from the ghats of the Gomti. The sanctum's throne, of carved wood plated in silver and gold, was gifted by the Gaekwads of Baroda. Paintings of scenes from the Bhagavata Purana, Mahabharata and Ramayana decorate the main hall, and shehnai and drums play from the music room above the gate.
Ranchhodraiji Temple, Dakor timings & aarti
Usually open from about 6:45 AM to 12:00 noon and 4:15 PM to 7:30 PM, with darshan in fixed sessions. Timings change on Purnima and festival days. Times may vary; check locally before visiting.
| Aarti / ritual | Time |
|---|---|
| Mangla aarti | Around 6:45 AM (approx.) |
| Rajbhog aarti | Around 11:30 AM (approx.) |
| Evening aarti | Early evening (approx.) |
Timings change on festivals, eclipses and special days. Please confirm locally before you travel.
How to reach Ranchhodraiji Temple, Dakor
By air
Vadodara airport is about 78 km away; Ahmedabad airport, about 90 km away, has more flights.
By train
Nadiad (about 35 km) and Anand (about 43 km) are the nearest major stations; Umreth, about 8 km away, has a branch-line station.
By road
State transport and private buses run to Dakor from Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Nadiad and Anand.
Festivals at Ranchhodraiji Temple, Dakor
- Sharad PurnimaOct
- Annakut (Govardhan Puja)Oct/Nov
- Kartik Purnima (anniversary of the Lord's arrival)Nov
- Holi and DolotsavMar
- JanmashtamiAug/Sep
Visitor tips
- Dress code
- Modest traditional clothing is expected; avoid shorts and sleeveless tops.
- Entry
- Free. Special darshan arrangements may apply on Purnima and festival days.
- Full-moon days draw huge crowds of walking pilgrims; come on another day for an easier darshan.
- Check the darshan schedule in advance, since the doors close between sessions.
- Watch the aarti from the steps by the Gomti lake for a fine view of the temple.
- Try the temple's prasad and the local sweets sold in the bazaar.
Places to visit near Ranchhodraiji Temple, Dakor
- Gomti lake and ghatsSacred lake right beside the temple
- Lakshmiji TempleVisited by the Lord's festival image, in Dakor town, under 1 km away
- Danknath Mahadev TempleDakor's oldest temple, to Shiva, in the town
- AnandDairy town of Gujarat, about 43 km away
Frequently asked questions
What are the Dakor temple timings?
Darshan is usually from about 6:45 AM to noon and 4:15 PM to 7:30 PM, with changes on Purnima and festivals. Check locally before visiting.
Why do people walk to Dakor on Purnima?
Walking to Dakor for the full moon is a long-standing vow of devotion; Sharad Purnima and Kartik Purnima draw the largest crowds.
What is the story of Bodana?
Tradition says the aged devotee Bodana brought the Dwarkadhish image to Dakor in 1151, and his wife's gold nose-ring outweighed it when the Dwarka priests demanded its weight in gold.
How far is Dakor from Ahmedabad and Vadodara?
Ahmedabad airport is about 90 km and Vadodara airport about 78 km away; Nadiad, about 35 km away, is the nearest big town.
What is the aarti time at Ranchhodraiji Temple, Dakor?
Mangla aarti: Around 6:45 AM (approx.); Rajbhog aarti: Around 11:30 AM (approx.); Evening aarti: Early evening (approx.). Times can change on festivals and special days, so please confirm locally before you go.
Is there a dress code at Ranchhodraiji Temple, Dakor?
Modest traditional clothing is expected; avoid shorts and sleeveless tops.
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