Dakor Tirth Kshetra, Gujarat

Dakor, in its previous stages as pilgrimage centre in Gujarat, was well known for the Danknath temple, a temple of shiva worship. In later stages, it transformed into a Vaishnavite center with the popularity of Ranchhodrai ji [form of Lord Shri Krishna] temple around 1772 A.D. Today this spot is referred to as a pilgrimage centre as well as an trade centre where one can get the articles identified with puja, and different ceremonies. As of late, Dakor is remembered for one of the six significant journey places under “Yatradham Vikas Board” by Government of Gujarat for advancement as an all around arranged and efficient journey spot to work with the lakhs of visiting travelers. Around 70–80 lakhs visit the spot each year and a ceaseless increment is seen each year.

The little altar of the first temple is presently encased in an enormous temple complex. The current sanctuary complex is set in a huge square setting. Four entryways penetrate the external walls at the cardinal points. Different workplaces and storerooms are set around the external border of the temple. The real temple is set on a high stage in a perplexing, set in the style of medieval temples from the region.

The type of Lord Ranchhodrai is that of the Lord Vishnu with four arms. As is regular with Lord Vishnu, he bears the conch, lotus, plate and the mace in his grasp. The lower right arm is held up in the abhaya mudra – offering insurance to every one of the people who come to Him. There might be a lotus engraved on the hand, however it is difficult to affirm that without getting truly near the Lord. As the Lord here is worshipped more as Krishna than Dwarkadhish, for example more youthful and more liberated than the mature Lord of Dwaraka, His right hand is regularly displayed to hold a flute – a most loved instrument of the Lord in His more youthful days. The upper right hand holds the mace, the upper left hand holds the plate and the lower left hand holds the conch. Normally, it is hard to see these “ayudhas” of the Lord in his hands. During celebrations, the hands encased in gloves of gold studded with diamonds.

The current sanctuary was developed by Shri Gopalrao Jagannath Tambwekar in 1772 A.D. at the expense of rupees one lakh. It was worked with block facades and stones columns. It is raised on a high plinth of 168 feet by 151 feet with twelve stone strides on each side and surrounded by an open yard. It has eight arches and 24 turrets, the most elevated of them being 90 feet making it the tallest sanctuary in the region. The principle entryway of the sanctuary disregards the (presently swarmed) banks of the lake Gomati. Silver entryways are secured by the Vedic Gods – Lord Ganesha, Sun, Moon, and so on wonderfully cut in high alleviation. The entryway leads into the principle courtyard. As custom would have it, drummers sit on the principle entryway in their very own gallery. The “Nagarkhana” reverberates with music during the principle darshans and at Aarti times. On entering the courtyard, one sees two tall designs, used to house the huge number of lights that are lit during the festive season, on one or the other side. Multi-storied and multi-layered, this sort of design is exceptionally normal of medieval Gujarati sanctuary architecture. Back at the front entryway, marble steps lead to the fundamental crowd office of the sanctuary – the Jagmohan – in a real sense where the world is enchanted (by the magnificence of the Lord). Three huge passageways permit dedicates to enter the primary crowd chamber. The huge open square construction of the crowd chamber is conquered by a forcing, sparkling arch. Till as of late, the arch was painted with Shri Krishna’s rasa-lila in the traditional Bundi style. Recently, this has been replaced by an unpredictable trim of mirror work, portraying blossoms and lattice in a traditional Rajput garden. Painted paintings from Lord Krishna’s life decorate the dividers of the crowd chamber. A little area at the front of the chamber is railed off and held for ladies. Likewise with every traditional sanctuary, the internal sanctum of Ranchodrai is set in an orderly fashion from the principle door of the sanctuary. The Lord sits under a canopied structure in the inward sanctum. The entire construction is raised on a marble stage and the mainstays of the structure are shrouded in gold. There are three entryways driving into the inward sanctum. Entryway to one side of the Lord roll in from the vestibule, prompting an extraordinary restroom where the ministers should wash prior to entering the internal sanctum. Passageways from here, likewise lead to the treasury of the Lord – lodging His incalculable gems and garments. The entryway before the Lord faces the principle crowd chamber. At Dakor, the Lord invests however much energy as could reasonably be expected with His enthusiasts. The principle ways to the inward sanctum are open a large portion of the day. The entryways just close when the Lord rests – during the evening and around evening time. The way to one side of the Lord prompts the bedchamber of the Lord – a reflected office of thousand delights. Various beds, mattresses and blankets are neatly arranged in here for the Lord’s comfort. Silver and gold bedsteads are canvassed in delicate cottons and silks. Scents and garlands are kept in readiness for the Lord. A little passage leads from here to the open lobby behind the bedchamber, where travelers perform different strict customs to satisfy the Lord. As at Badrinathji in the Himalayas and Tirupati Balaji in South India, at Dakor, the sanctuary of Goddess Lakshmi, spouse of the Lord, is arranged external the principle sanctuary. Lakshmiji’s sanctuary is arranged in a private piece of town at a little separation from the primary sanctuary. It is accepted that the Lord visits His significant other on each Friday – on Fridays a dignified parade winds its direction from the fundamental sanctuary down the paths and bylanes of Dakor to join the couple.

On full moon days, individuals visit the temple to seek the blessings as was done by the devotee who carried Shree Krishna to the temple. There is an extraordinary inflow of individuals and the town is exceptionally packed. Many individuals from encompassing urban areas come and visit the sanctuary during these celebrations, some from even distant.

Sharad Purnima, which comes after finish of Navratra, is the day accepted on which master Krishna came to Dakor as Ranchodrai with his great devotee known as Bodana. Lord come to Dakor to satisfy the guarantee that he will come to Dakor with Bodana.