Ranchhodraiji Dakor Temple

Introduction to Shree Ranchhodraiji Temple

Shree Ranchhodraiji Temple in Dakor is the abode of Sree Krishna, the seventh incarnation of Maha Vishnu. Dakor City is in the Kheda district of Gujarat. Dakor Temple is another name for it. The Gujarat State Government recently included Dakor city under the pilgrimage spots in Yatradham Vikas Board.

Legend of Shree Ranchhodraiji Temple

The term "Ranchhodrai" means 'a king who left the battleground'. It applies to Krishna, the king of the Yadava clan, who was continuously engaged in battles with Jarasandha. To save his people, Krishna left Mathura and developed Dwaraka. As he left the battlefield, the name "Ranchhodrai" originated. "Ranchhod" means "leave" and "Rai" means king.

Krishna made Dwaraka his kingdom. During those times, a Rajput of Dakor named Vijayanand Bodana visited Dwaraka every six months to worship Krishna. He used to come on foot until he was 72 years old.

The reason for his ardent love for Krishna was that Bodana was a close friend of Krishna in his previous birth. Krishna was pleased by his love and wanted to stop him from visiting him on foot. So, he asked Bodana to bring a bullock cart to Dwaraka at midnight.

The temple doors were automatically opened, and Bodana took the idol of Krishna to Dakor. But, the Brahmans of Dakor killed him. Krishna instructed Bodana's wife, Gangabai, to give the equivalent of the weight of an idol in gold to the Brahmins as compensation. Krishna also appeared before the Brahmins and promised them that a similar idol would appear in Dwarka Temple. Thus, the Dwaraka idol of Krishna came to Dakor.

About the Ranchhodraiji

The presiding deity of Shree Ranchhodraiji Temple is Ranchhodraiji, the incarnation of Vishnu with four arms. Ranchhodraiji in this temple is more youthful than the Dwarkadhish in Dwaraka. His right hand holds a flute, his most loved instrument. The deity's upper right hand holds the mace, the upper left hand holds the discus, and the lower left hand holds the conch.

The Architecture of Shree Ranchhodraiji Temple

Shri Gopal Rao Jagannath Tambwekar spent one lakh to develop the present temple in 1772 AD. It is in medieval Gujarati temple architectural style. It has brick walls and stone pillars. The Shree Ranchhodraiji Temple is on a high plinth with twelve stone steps on each side and a spacious courtyard.

There are eight domes and twenty-four turrets with a height of 90 feet, making it the tallest temple in the district. The temple’s main gate overlooks the River Gomati.

The main gate leads into the courtyard with beautifully carved silver gates with Ganesha, Sun, Moon, and other deities. The Nagarkhana resonates with music during the Aarti times. Devotees can see two tall structures at the courtyard entrance that house thousands of lamps lit during festivities.

A flight of marble stairs leads to the Jagmohan - the main audience chamber of the Shree Ranchhodraiji Temple, which is at the back side of the front gate. Painted murals of Krishna's life adorn the walls of the Jagmohan. A small section at the front of the chamber is reserved for women. The door to the right from the antechamber leads to a unique bathroom.

Priests take a bath here before entering into the sanctum. Corridors from here lead to the treasure house where the deity's innumerable jewels and clothes are preserved.

The sanctum of Ranchhodraiji lies in a straight line from the main entryway of the Shree Ranchhodraiji Temple. The deity sits under a canopied structure in the shrine raised on a marble stage. The mainstays of the system are in gold. The cut entryways and windows to the sanctum are in silver. The main doors to the shrine are open most of the day. The doors only close during the afternoon and at night. The entrance to the left of the Ranchhodraiji leads to his bedchamber - a mirrored chamber.

The beds, blankets, and mattresses are silk and soft cotton adorned with silver and gold bedsteads. A small corridor leads to the open hall behind the bedchamber, where pilgrims perform various religious rituals to please the Lord.

His consort, Lakshmi Devi's temple is outside the Shree Ranchhodraiji Temple. Her temple is located away from here. It is believed that Ranchhodraiji visits his consort every Friday. The priests take him in a procession to Lakshmi Devi's temple on Fridays.

There are three entryways to the sanctum. Halls lead to the treasure house of the deity, where his innumerable gems and garments are preserved.

The domes of this multi-storied Shree Ranchhodraiji Temple have recently been painted with Shri Krishna’s Rasa-Lila in the classical Bundi style.

Festivals in Shree Ranchhodraiji Temple

Shree Ranchhodraiji Temple celebrates Krishna Janmashtami, Holi, Nand Mahotsav, Amalaki Ekadashi, Dussehra, and Rata Yatra. Annakoot is the famous festival celebrated on the first day of the year. During this occasion, sweets and food are offered to Shri Ranchhodraiji. Over one lakh devotees flock to the Shree Ranchhodraiji Temple on Annakoot to worship the deity.