The arrival of Lord Ranchhodahi at Dakor

According to Hindu mythology, there are four eras - Satyug, Tretayug, Dwaparyug and Kaliyug.  Out of these four yugas, the year of  8,63,775 of  8,64,000 years of Dwaparyug, Lord Krishna incarnated on later half of the Sarvan month in Rohini nakhastra (Constellatiion) on Wednesday and after his life if 125 years, one month and five days, the Kaliyuga started.  According to old scriptures, Lord Krishna in his incarnation of Buddhavatar, lived for 4225 years as Chatrbhuj in Dwarka in Kaliyug time.  According to one legend, Lord Krishna living in Dwarka came at Dakor on Kartik suda fifteen (Devdiwali) Samvat 1212 (11156)after being pleased with his devotee Bhakta Bodana who offered him Tulsi leaves.

According to one legendary story, while coming to Dakor, Lord Ranchhodrai brushed his teeth with neem twak at the village Simalaj and this twak then became sweet.  This neem tree is at present near Bileshwar Mahadev which is on the Dakor- Umereth road.

There is one story very well known about Gujrat-Ambodi Brahmins who wanted to take back the idol of Lord Krishna from Dakor to Dwarka.  Accordingly these Brahmins were given gold worth the weight of the idol and Lord Ranchhodrai was measured as small as the ring of Gangabai - wife of Bodana.  The place where the idol was weighed is still exists near Gomtighat.

Thereafter Ranchhodraiji was kept in Danknath Mahadev in the form of the idol for many years.  The same incarnated idol of the Lord was established at Laxmiji's temple.  This Laxmi temple was established by Khambhat's Ratanji Nandaji, following the advice of Acharya Hariraiji of Vaishnav sect in Vikram samvat 1781.

According to various Samhitas, this big and tallest Vaishnav temple of Lord Krishna in Kheda was constructed by Gopalrao Jaggnath Tambvekar of Tambve village of Satara district of Maharashtra in Vikram Samvat 1781.  The stone carving of this, in fact is today lying with Shri Bhalchandra Tambvekar of Tambvekar fimily.

According to historical facts, in 1769 when Shri Gopalrao Jaggnath Tambvekar, a Sharaf of Peshva Government, while going to Dwarka on foot. Got the natural instinct of having the real incarnation of Lord Ranchhodrai of Dwarka at Dakor during his stay at Vadodara.  He came at Dakor and offered darshan oft his state of Lord Ranchhodrai and build the temple after purchasing land in Dakor.  For maintenance  and daily expense of the temple the Peshva Government gave him Dakor and Gaikwad Government gave him Kanajari village as gift.
   

The structure of the Temple and the idol

The Temple of Shri Ranchhodraiji, situated on the bank of the Gomti river, is 168 feet long on east-west side and 151 feet long on north-south side.  There are 8 domes and 24 peaks.  The tallest peak is 90 feet high.  All these peaks have kalas (pots) of gold.  The Nij Mandir has four doors with silver shutters on four sides,  The shikharbandhi part is on southern side of the temple where the Lord is in sound sleep and have beds of silver, Jhula, chains, bed sheets of silk and marbles.  The structure of the temple is very peculiar and there is unique combination of Hindu and Muslim Style of structure.
There is 3.5 feet high and 1.5 feet broad black idol of Shri Ranchhodrai on the seat made up of gold and silver in this Nij Mandir.  It is believed that this idol was made in 11th century.

The celebration of festivals

The full moon days of Kartik, Falgun, Chaitra and Aso months have special importance at Dakor.  One will find an ocean of pilgrims of these full moon days.  The festivals like Janmashtami, Nanda Mahotsava, Hindolastva, Rathyatra, Holi, Dashera and Annukut are also celebrated with great zeal and will.
Mangal arti, Balbhog, Shringar bhog, Arti darshan, Goval bhog, Raj bhog and Arti darshan are performed during the day time while Uthapan arti, Shayan bhog and Sahadi bhog darshan are performed in the evening time.

On Sunday, on the days of festivals and on full moon days the timings of Darshans are littel bit delayed.  The administration job is jointly done by local administration.  Nagar panchayat, and tenple committee so that there is no disturbance and people can have the Darshan easily.

The importance of Dakor

Dakor is famous in India due to Ranchhodraji.  According to historical scripts, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Meera visited Dakor.  The poet Nanhalal of modern Gujarat had read here his famous Harisamhita before its publication.  Gandhiji wearing Kathiawari dress also visited Dakor during his Desh dershana.  Dakor also contributed much during national movement.

The places and temples at Dakor Tirthdham

1. Shri Ranchhodraiji temple, 2. Shri Danknath Mahadev, 3. Shri Laxmi temple, 4. Shri Bodanaji temple, 5. Shri Trikamji temple, 6. Shri Dawoodji temple, 7. Shri Sankaracharya temple (Lotus like), 8. Shri Gomti ghat, 9. Shri Mota Hanumanji temple, 10. Shri Mangal sevadham, 11. Shri Vishvakram temple, 12. Shri Swaminarayan temple, 13. Shri Krishnapramani temple, 14. Shri Dattatreya temple, 15. Shri Mahalaxmi temple, 16. Shri Ranmukteshwar Mahadev, 17. Shri Yamyneshwar Mahadev, 18. Shri Bileshwar Mahadev, 19. Shri Gayatri temple, 20. Shri Radhakund, 21. Shri Kuleshwar Mataji temple,  22. Shri Satyabhamaji temple, 23. Shri Khodiyar Mataji temple, 24. Shri ramnam annakashetra, 25. Shri Limdama ek dal mithi, 26. Shri Ranchhodji tulsipatra tolaya ni tula, 27. Jain derasar, 28. Shri Tulsi smarak sadan, 29. Shri Bharat bhuvan, 30. Sgri Ramchowk, 31. Shri Jalaram temple, 32. Shri Ramji Mandir, 33. Shri Bhathiji Maharaj temple, 34. Shri Mankhaniyo- aro(Kevadeshwar Mahadev), 35. Shri Satyanarayan temple.