Dakor, India

Welcome to Dakor, a small city and municipality in Kheda district in the state of Gujarat, India. The city is well-known for its grand temple of Shree Ranchhodraiji, which is a prominent pilgrimage center for devotees of Lord Krishna. Dakor has a rich history and legends associated with it. In ancient times, it was known as Dankor after the name of Dankanth Mahadev, and in the Mahabharata era, the surrounding area of Dakor constituted the Hidamba van (jungle). Today, more than 70-80 lacs of pilgrims visit the place every year, and a continuous increase is witnessed every year. Dakor is included in one of the six major pilgrimage places under Yatradham Vikas Board by the Government of Gujarat for development as a well-planned and well-organised pilgrimage place to facilitate the visiting pilgrims. The temple of Shree Ranchhodraiji is the highlight of Dakor, and it attracts devotees from all over the country. The current temple complex is set in a large square setting, with four gates piercing the outer walls at the cardinal points. The temple is set on a high platform in a complex, set in the style of medieval temples from the region. The form of Lord Ranchhodrai is that of the Lord Vishnu with four arms, and He is worshipped more as Krishna than Dwarkadhish, i.e. younger and freer than the mature Lord of Dwaraka. The temple architecture is breathtaking, with 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 banks of the lake Gomati, and the silver gates are protected by the Vedic Gods – Lord Ganesha, Sun, Moon, etc. beautifully carved in high relief. The temple is open most of the day, and the doors only close during the afternoon and at night when the Lord sleeps. 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. Lakshmijis 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 its way from the main temple down the lanes and bylanes of Dakor to unite the couple. Dakor is not just a pilgrimage center, but it is also a trading center where one can get articles related to puja and other rituals. The city has a lot to offer to visitors, and it is a must-visit destination for devotees of Lord Krishna and those interested in exploring ancient temple architecture and history. Come and experience the divine aura of Dakor!