Here is Some Information about Ranchod Rai Ji Tample in Dakor Gujarat India.
Location : Dakor,Anand Gujarat
Built in : 1772 A.D
Hight : 168 feet
Dedicated to :Lord Krishna
Temple Timing :4:50 A.M. in the morning and closes at 12 Noon,
Re Open at 4.15 P.M. and closes at 7.30 P.M
Photography : Not Allow inside Out Side Temple Allow
Entry : Free
Visiting Time: 1 hour
Best time to visit: November to February
Festivals : Janmastmi,Full Moon Day,Ekadashi
Official Website : www.ranchodraiji.org
Nearest Airport : Ahmedabad
Nearest Railway Station : Anand,Dakor
Live Darshan Daily: Click Here
More Information about Ranchodrai ji Temple Dakor
Dakor city is located in the Kheda District of Gujarat State in India. The place is prominent for its grand temple of Shree Ranchhodraiji. The holy land of Dakor is connected through rail and road to many places and Dakor station lies on the Anand-Godhra Rail route. Dakor is at a distance of around 90 kms from Vadodara city.
In times of Mahabharata, the surrounding area of Dakor constituted the 'Hidamba' van (jungle). It was a very dense jungle. It was pleasant and rich with streams and lakes. It had become an attraction for the sages to establish their hermitage for penance. Likewise, Dank Rishi had his hermitage (ashram) in this area. During penance Lord Shiva was pleased with him and asked him to demand something. Thereupon, Dank Rishi requested Lord Shiva to remain permanently in his hermitage. Lord Shiva agreed to his request. He disappeared and left behind him His replica in the form of Ban (Ling), which is known as Danknath Mahadev. Thus in ancient times, Dakor was known as 'Dankor' after the name of Dankanth Mahadev. It was also known as khakhariya because of many khakhra(palash) trees in the vicinity.
Legends of Ranchod Rai Ji Temple
Shri Gopal Jagannath Tambwekar approached Peshwas and Gaikwars and requested them to grant lands for the maintenance, (puja, worship, prosperity, naivedya and services and ceremonials etc) for the expenses of the deity from the State . Thereupon, Peshwa Madhavrao Ballal Pradhan, Peshwa of Poona granted the entire village of 'Dakor' of Taluka Thasra, District Kaira and Damaji Gaikwar's son Sayajirao Gaikwar of Baroda granted in Inam (Offered as prize) village 'Kanjari', Prant Madhudha of Gujarat. At that time i.e. in 1769 A,D. half of Kaira District was with Peshwas of Poona and half was with Gaikwars of Baroda. At present, village Kanjari is in Nadiad Taluka of Kaira District. The two entire villages of Dakor and Kanjari were given in Inam to Shri Gopal Jagannath Tambwekar inherited for the services of the deity, Shri Ranchhodraiji. Both these villages are known as Dakor Sansthan. Sansthan Scheme was framed in the Year 1879 for the necessary, essential and entire expenses, services and formality of the deity Shri Ranchhodraiji and Goddess Laxmiji which were exclusively met with from the fixed income of the revenues of the two villages of Dakor and Kanjari and was later on registered as a Public Trust. It is the original foundation trust of Shri Ranchhodraiji Maharaj. Since 1905, the management of the temple rests with the Temple Committee. In pursuance of a decision of the Privy Council, Dakor Temple Scheme was finally approved by the Privy Council in 1916. In 1952, it was registered as a Public Religious Trust. Thus the Temple Trust is not administered by the Government, but a Committee consisting of vaishnav devotees of Lord Krishna conducts its day to day control under the supervision of Manager as per the provisions laid down under the Dakor Temple Scheme. The Committee consists of three nominees of the District Court from Vaishnavas . one hereditary representative of Tambwekar family and one from the Sevaks (priests). The priests are of three sub-castes of Brahmins, viz. Khedaval, Shrigod and Tapodhan. At present families of these priests are about 232 in number. The term of the trustee expires every ten year. At present following are the trustees:- Shri Girishbhai Thakorlal Nanavati, Charimain, Ahmedabad. Shri Bipinchandra Jivanlal Diwan, Ahmedabad. Shri Parindubhai Kanaiyalal Bhagat, Ahmedabad. Shri Ajay Bhalchandra Tambvekar, Dakor. Shri Pradyumnabhai Madusudan Pandya (Sevak), Dakor. Temple committee also maintains a Gaushala. It's strength is 600 cattle. Cows are not sold. They are maintained throughout their lifetime. Bulls are given free of cost to needy Gram Panchayats for breeding purposes. Milk of the cows is utilized for the purpose of the deity and the surplus is disposed off by turning it into curd-butter milk and distributing it free of cost amongst the inhabitants of the town and vaishnava visitors and padyatris during full-moon days . The Temple Committee intends, making the temple self-supporting for its daily requirements of ghee, in preparing food articles as offerings to the deity and has chalked out a plan for increasing the strength of the cowherd from 600 to nearly 4000. Keeping this in view, the grazing land of 1800 acres at present at the disposal of the Temple Committee will fall short. It is also planning to construct a new Gaushala Complex with all necessary facilities. The cost would near roughly to rupees ninety lakhs at the present rates. Out of the net surplus of total yearly income after deducting the expenses for bhog, prasad, naivedya and start fifty per cent is distributed amongst priests' families and remaining percent is carried over to the reserve fund . Fixed properties, trust funds, ornaments, utensils and dress of the deity are carried over to Capital. The temple has an annual income of over one crore of rupees and the expenses are always round about the same amount. The accounts are statutorily audited by an approved firm of Chartered Accountant and submitted to the Charity Commissioner and District Court The Temple Committee always administers its two sister Trusts namely, (1) Shri Ranchhodraiji Maharaj Mandir Gaushala Trust and (2) Thakorpura Trust. Donations, received by Shri Ranchhodraiji Maharaj Mandir Gaushala Trust are exempted under Section 80 G of income Tax Act
Architacture of Ranchod Rai ji Temple
The present temple was constructed by Shri Gopalrao Jagannath Tambwekar in 1772 A.D. at the cost of rupees one lakh. It was built with brick walls and stones pillars. It is raised on a high plinth of 168 feet by 151 feet with twelve stone steps on each side and surrounded by a spacious courtyard. It has eight domes and twenty four turrets, the highest of them being 90 feet making it the tallest temple in the district. The main gate of the temple overlooks the (now crowded) banks of the lake Gomati. Silver gates are protected by the Vedic Gods - Lord Ganesha, Sun, Moon, etc beautifully carved in high relief. The gate leads into the main courtyard. As tradition would have it, drummers sit atop the main gate in a balcony of their own. The "Nagarkhana" resonates with music during the main darshans and at Aarti times. On entering the courtyard, one sees two tall structures, used to house the thousands of lamps that are lit during the festive season, on either side. Multi-storied and multi-tiered, this type of structure is very typical of medieval Gujarati temple architecture. Back at the front gate, marble stairs lead to the main audience chamber of the temple - the Jagmohan - literally the place where the world is charmed (by the beauty of the Lord). Three large entrances allow devotes to enter the main audience chamber. The large open square structure of the audience chamber is surmounted by an imposing, glittering dome. Till recently, the dome was painted with Shri Krishna's rasa-lila in the classical Bundi style. Recently, this has been replaced by an intricate inlay of mirror work, depicting flowers and trellis in a classical Rajput garden. Painted murals from Lord Krishna's life adorn the walls of the audience chamber. A small section at the front of the chamber is railed off and reserved for women. As with all classical temples, the inner sanctum of Ranchodrai is set in a straight line from the main gate of the temple. The Lord sits under a canopied pavilion in the inner sanctum. The whole structure is raised on a marble platform and the pillars of the pavilion are covered in gold. The intricately carved doors and windows to the inner sanctum are covered in silver. There are three doors leading into the inner sanctum. Door to the right of the Lord comes in from the antechamber, leading to a special bathroom where the priests must bathe before entering the inner sanctum. Corridors from here, also lead to the treasure house of the Lord - housing His in-numerable jewels and clothes. The door in front of the Lord faces the main audience chamber. At Dakor, the Lord spends as much time as possible with His devotees. The main doors to the inner sanctum are open most of the day. The doors only close when the Lord sleeps - during the afternoon and at night. The door to the left of the Lord leads to the bedchamber of the Lord - a mirrored chamber of thousand delights. Various beds, mattresses and blankets are neatly arranged in here for the Lord's comfort. Silver and gold bedsteads are covered in soft cottons and silks. Perfumes and garlands are kept in readiness for the Lord. A small corridor leads from here to the open hall behind the bedchamber, where pilgrims perform various religious rituals to please the Lord. As at Badrinathji in the Himalayas and Tirupati Balaji in South India, at Dakor, the temple of Goddess Lakshmi, wife of the Lord, is situated outside the main temple. Lakshmiji's temple is situated in a residential part of town at a little distance from the main temple. It is believed that the Lord visits His wife on every friday - on Fridays a courtly procession winds it's way from the main temple down the lanes and bylanes of Dakor to unite the couple.
Darshan Timing of Ranchod Rai Ji Temple
The temple normally opens at about 6:45 A.M. in the morning and closes at 12 Noon between which there are five darshans namely, Mangla, Bal bhog, Srinagar bhog, Gwal bhog and Rajbhog during which Aartis are performed. In the afternoon, it reopens at about 4.15 P.M. and closes at 7.30 P.M. In between there are three darshans namely, Usthapan, Shyan and Shakhdi bhog . At Utthapana Bhoga and Shayana bhoga Aaratis are performed. The Darshana timings on Full -Moon days are different and are declared by the temple authorities beforehand. For the conveniece of the vaishnavas desirous to offer extra bhogs to the deity except the scheduled ones, there is a provision in the Dakor Temple Scheme and accordingly Mahabhog, Rajbhog and additional bhogs are offered to the deity. For all such extra Bhogs the devotees can receive prasad except Rajbhog, through Dakor Sansthan Trust which is the oldest Bhog of the time when the Deity Shree Ranchhodraiji was installed in this temple
Festival and Purnima Date List of Ranchod Rai ji Temple Dakor Year 2016-17
Prasad Atm Mahine in Ranchodrai Temple Dakor
By Road : State Transport and Luxury buses are available from Ahmedabad and Vaodara are available and there are many public and private vehicles available to reach Ranchodrai temple Dakor.
By Rail :The Near Railway Station is Dakor Station and other are ,Anand,Godhra,railway line.
By Air: The Near International Airport is Ahmedabad Airport.
History of Ranchodrai ji Temple in Dakor
In times of Mahabharata, the surrounding area of Dakor constituted the 'Hidamba' van (jungle). It was a very dense jungle. It was pleasant and rich with streams and lakes. It had become an attraction for the sages to establish their hermitage for penance. Likewise, Dank Rishi had his hermitage (ashram) in this area. During penance Lord Shiva was pleased with him and asked him to demand something. Thereupon, Dank Rishi requested Lord Shiva to remain permanently in his hermitage. Lord Shiva agreed to his request. He disappeared and left behind him His replica in the form of Ban (Ling), which is known as Danknath Mahadev. Thus in ancient times, Dakor was known as 'Dankor' after the name of Dankanth Mahadev. It was also known as khakhariya because of many khakhra(palash) trees in the vicinity.Legends of Ranchod Rai Ji Temple
Shri Gopal Jagannath Tambwekar approached Peshwas and Gaikwars and requested them to grant lands for the maintenance, (puja, worship, prosperity, naivedya and services and ceremonials etc) for the expenses of the deity from the State . Thereupon, Peshwa Madhavrao Ballal Pradhan, Peshwa of Poona granted the entire village of 'Dakor' of Taluka Thasra, District Kaira and Damaji Gaikwar's son Sayajirao Gaikwar of Baroda granted in Inam (Offered as prize) village 'Kanjari', Prant Madhudha of Gujarat. At that time i.e. in 1769 A,D. half of Kaira District was with Peshwas of Poona and half was with Gaikwars of Baroda. At present, village Kanjari is in Nadiad Taluka of Kaira District. The two entire villages of Dakor and Kanjari were given in Inam to Shri Gopal Jagannath Tambwekar inherited for the services of the deity, Shri Ranchhodraiji. Both these villages are known as Dakor Sansthan. Sansthan Scheme was framed in the Year 1879 for the necessary, essential and entire expenses, services and formality of the deity Shri Ranchhodraiji and Goddess Laxmiji which were exclusively met with from the fixed income of the revenues of the two villages of Dakor and Kanjari and was later on registered as a Public Trust. It is the original foundation trust of Shri Ranchhodraiji Maharaj. Since 1905, the management of the temple rests with the Temple Committee. In pursuance of a decision of the Privy Council, Dakor Temple Scheme was finally approved by the Privy Council in 1916. In 1952, it was registered as a Public Religious Trust. Thus the Temple Trust is not administered by the Government, but a Committee consisting of vaishnav devotees of Lord Krishna conducts its day to day control under the supervision of Manager as per the provisions laid down under the Dakor Temple Scheme. The Committee consists of three nominees of the District Court from Vaishnavas . one hereditary representative of Tambwekar family and one from the Sevaks (priests). The priests are of three sub-castes of Brahmins, viz. Khedaval, Shrigod and Tapodhan. At present families of these priests are about 232 in number. The term of the trustee expires every ten year. At present following are the trustees:- Shri Girishbhai Thakorlal Nanavati, Charimain, Ahmedabad. Shri Bipinchandra Jivanlal Diwan, Ahmedabad. Shri Parindubhai Kanaiyalal Bhagat, Ahmedabad. Shri Ajay Bhalchandra Tambvekar, Dakor. Shri Pradyumnabhai Madusudan Pandya (Sevak), Dakor. Temple committee also maintains a Gaushala. It's strength is 600 cattle. Cows are not sold. They are maintained throughout their lifetime. Bulls are given free of cost to needy Gram Panchayats for breeding purposes. Milk of the cows is utilized for the purpose of the deity and the surplus is disposed off by turning it into curd-butter milk and distributing it free of cost amongst the inhabitants of the town and vaishnava visitors and padyatris during full-moon days . The Temple Committee intends, making the temple self-supporting for its daily requirements of ghee, in preparing food articles as offerings to the deity and has chalked out a plan for increasing the strength of the cowherd from 600 to nearly 4000. Keeping this in view, the grazing land of 1800 acres at present at the disposal of the Temple Committee will fall short. It is also planning to construct a new Gaushala Complex with all necessary facilities. The cost would near roughly to rupees ninety lakhs at the present rates. Out of the net surplus of total yearly income after deducting the expenses for bhog, prasad, naivedya and start fifty per cent is distributed amongst priests' families and remaining percent is carried over to the reserve fund . Fixed properties, trust funds, ornaments, utensils and dress of the deity are carried over to Capital. The temple has an annual income of over one crore of rupees and the expenses are always round about the same amount. The accounts are statutorily audited by an approved firm of Chartered Accountant and submitted to the Charity Commissioner and District Court The Temple Committee always administers its two sister Trusts namely, (1) Shri Ranchhodraiji Maharaj Mandir Gaushala Trust and (2) Thakorpura Trust. Donations, received by Shri Ranchhodraiji Maharaj Mandir Gaushala Trust are exempted under Section 80 G of income Tax ActArchitacture of Ranchod Rai ji Temple
The present temple was constructed by Shri Gopalrao Jagannath Tambwekar in 1772 A.D. at the cost of rupees one lakh. It was built with brick walls and stones pillars. It is raised on a high plinth of 168 feet by 151 feet with twelve stone steps on each side and surrounded by a spacious courtyard. It has eight domes and twenty four turrets, the highest of them being 90 feet making it the tallest temple in the district. The main gate of the temple overlooks the (now crowded) banks of the lake Gomati. Silver gates are protected by the Vedic Gods - Lord Ganesha, Sun, Moon, etc beautifully carved in high relief. The gate leads into the main courtyard. As tradition would have it, drummers sit atop the main gate in a balcony of their own. The "Nagarkhana" resonates with music during the main darshans and at Aarti times. On entering the courtyard, one sees two tall structures, used to house the thousands of lamps that are lit during the festive season, on either side. Multi-storied and multi-tiered, this type of structure is very typical of medieval Gujarati temple architecture. Back at the front gate, marble stairs lead to the main audience chamber of the temple - the Jagmohan - literally the place where the world is charmed (by the beauty of the Lord). Three large entrances allow devotes to enter the main audience chamber. The large open square structure of the audience chamber is surmounted by an imposing, glittering dome. Till recently, the dome was painted with Shri Krishna's rasa-lila in the classical Bundi style. Recently, this has been replaced by an intricate inlay of mirror work, depicting flowers and trellis in a classical Rajput garden. Painted murals from Lord Krishna's life adorn the walls of the audience chamber. A small section at the front of the chamber is railed off and reserved for women. As with all classical temples, the inner sanctum of Ranchodrai is set in a straight line from the main gate of the temple. The Lord sits under a canopied pavilion in the inner sanctum. The whole structure is raised on a marble platform and the pillars of the pavilion are covered in gold. The intricately carved doors and windows to the inner sanctum are covered in silver. There are three doors leading into the inner sanctum. Door to the right of the Lord comes in from the antechamber, leading to a special bathroom where the priests must bathe before entering the inner sanctum. Corridors from here, also lead to the treasure house of the Lord - housing His in-numerable jewels and clothes. The door in front of the Lord faces the main audience chamber. At Dakor, the Lord spends as much time as possible with His devotees. The main doors to the inner sanctum are open most of the day. The doors only close when the Lord sleeps - during the afternoon and at night. The door to the left of the Lord leads to the bedchamber of the Lord - a mirrored chamber of thousand delights. Various beds, mattresses and blankets are neatly arranged in here for the Lord's comfort. Silver and gold bedsteads are covered in soft cottons and silks. Perfumes and garlands are kept in readiness for the Lord. A small corridor leads from here to the open hall behind the bedchamber, where pilgrims perform various religious rituals to please the Lord. As at Badrinathji in the Himalayas and Tirupati Balaji in South India, at Dakor, the temple of Goddess Lakshmi, wife of the Lord, is situated outside the main temple. Lakshmiji's temple is situated in a residential part of town at a little distance from the main temple. It is believed that the Lord visits His wife on every friday - on Fridays a courtly procession winds it's way from the main temple down the lanes and bylanes of Dakor to unite the couple.Darshan Timing of Ranchod Rai Ji Temple
The temple normally opens at about 6:45 A.M. in the morning and closes at 12 Noon between which there are five darshans namely, Mangla, Bal bhog, Srinagar bhog, Gwal bhog and Rajbhog during which Aartis are performed. In the afternoon, it reopens at about 4.15 P.M. and closes at 7.30 P.M. In between there are three darshans namely, Usthapan, Shyan and Shakhdi bhog . At Utthapana Bhoga and Shayana bhoga Aaratis are performed. The Darshana timings on Full -Moon days are different and are declared by the temple authorities beforehand. For the conveniece of the vaishnavas desirous to offer extra bhogs to the deity except the scheduled ones, there is a provision in the Dakor Temple Scheme and accordingly Mahabhog, Rajbhog and additional bhogs are offered to the deity. For all such extra Bhogs the devotees can receive prasad except Rajbhog, through Dakor Sansthan Trust which is the oldest Bhog of the time when the Deity Shree Ranchhodraiji was installed in this templeFestival and Purnima Date List of Ranchod Rai ji Temple Dakor Year 2016-17
Prasad Atm Mahine in Ranchodrai Temple Dakor
Now a days Shri Ranchodrai Temple arrange a Prasad Atm Machine.People take prasad by Atm Machine.They take 10 Rs, 20 Rs ,50 Rs and machine Give Laddu Prasad .This provision is very modern and very easy to take prasad.
How to Reach Ranchod Rai Ji Temple Dakor
By Road : State Transport and Luxury buses are available from Ahmedabad and Vaodara are available and there are many public and private vehicles available to reach Ranchodrai temple Dakor.
By Rail :The Near Railway Station is Dakor Station and other are ,Anand,Godhra,railway line.
By Air: The Near International Airport is Ahmedabad Airport.
