Dakor, The main temple, enclosed by a fort wall, is situated near the bank of the holy lake Gomti in the midst of the main bazaar of Dakor. The temple is covered with 8 domes and 24 turrets, with the central dome reaching a height of 27m. Crowned with a golden kalash and a white silken flag, this temple is the tallest in the district. Though not very rich in carving, the main cupola derives its influence from the Maharashtrian style of temple architecture. The main hall features paintings depicting events in Lord Krishna’s life.
Background
It is believed that Ranchhodji, a name for Lord Krishna meaning “he who left the battlefield”, inspired Gopal Jagannath Ambekar, a shroff of a Peshwa’s court in Poona, in a dream to build a vast and magnificent temple. The temple was built in 1772 A.D. The main Ranchhodrai idol is in black touchstone, 1m tall and 45 cm in breadth, richly adorned with gold, jewels and expensive clothes. Its throne, an ornate masterpiece of woodcarving plated in silver and gold, was presented by the Gaekwad of Baroda.
On the upper floor of the gate there is a tokorkhana (music room) where music is played on shehnai and drums daily every three hours. Shri Bhalchandrarao and other descendants of the builder of this temple, Inamdar Tambekar, give their services to this temple even today. For many, listening to the devotional songs sung by Champavatiben Tambekar is a very special experience.
Open from 6am-12 noon and 4pm-7pm daily.
The main temple, enclosed by a fort wall, is situated near the bank of the holy lake Gomti in the midst of the main bazaar of Dakor. The temple is covered with 8 domes and 24 turrets, with the central dome reaching a height of 27m. Crowned with a golden kalash and a white silken flag, this temple is the tallest in the district. Though not very rich in carving, the main cupola derives its influence from the Maharashtrian style of temple architecture. The main hall features paintings depicting events in Lord Krishna’s life.
It is believed that Ranchhodji, a name for Lord Krishna meaning “he who left the battlefield”, inspired Gopal Jagannath Ambekar, a shroff of a Peshwa’s court in Poona, in a dream to build a vast and magnificent temple. The temple was built in 1772 A.D. The main Ranchhodrai idol is in black touchstone, 1m tall and 45 cm in breadth, richly adorned with gold, jewels and expensive clothes. Its throne, an ornate masterpiece of woodcarving plated in silver and gold, was presented by the Gaekwad of Baroda.
On the upper floor of the gate there is a tokorkhana (music room) where music is played on shehnai and drums daily every three hours. Shri Bhalchandrarao and other descendants of the builder of this temple, Inamdar Tambekar, give their services to this temple even today. For many, listening to the devotional songs sung by Champavatiben Tambekar is a very special experience.
If you wish to take your excursions inward, than the Hari Om Ashram in Bilodra might serve the serenity to bridge those pathways. In this ashram, first established as maun mandirs (silent temples), you can find a space of solitude for quiet reflection. Sincere seekers take a vow of silence and shut themselves voluntarily inside these rooms to penetrate into the silence within themselves. This hermitage is run entirely on donations. It was founded by Pujya Shree Mota, a well-known saint of Gujarat, who had dedicated his life to selfless service of Harijans.
About 16 km from Dakor is a Shiva temple of the Solanki era, situated on the alluring sangam (confluence) of the rivers Mahi and Galati where it is said lived Galav Muni Chandrahaas of Puranic fame. At present the lovely rocky bank of Mahi and the beautiful old Shiva temple on it has one spring of the River Galati constantly sprinkling water on the Shiva linga. Rich in art and architecture, it has a unique eight-sided hall. The walls have carved figures of Gods, gandharvas, humans, rishis, horse riders, elepant riders, chariots, doli (palanquins) and the events of a human life, from birth to death, are all depicted in these carvings.
According to the Mahabharata legend, Bhimsen, on a journey with Sri Krishna, carved open a small pool of fresh clean water into a great lake for the benefit of the hermitage dwellers and forest animals. Spreading over an area of 230 hectares opposite the Dakor temple, it is named after the river Gomti from Dwarka. On its banks there are dharamshalas, havelis and other buildings for lodging pilgrims.
The three main embankments of Danknath Mahadev, Kaleshwar Mahadev, Bhattji Maharaj are well known. Another important one is Makhanio Aro, known for the visit of Ranchhodji, who rested at this place on a journey from Dwarka and was offered butter with sugar by Gangabai. Many pilgrims also pay respect to the seat of a Muslim saint on the banks of lake Gomti. Today, this lake is also an attraction to go boating and feed turtles.
How to get there
By Road :Dakor is in Thasra taluka of Kheda District, 43 km northeast of Anand, and 35 km east of Nadiad. Private and ST buses are available from Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Anand. Nadiad and Anand are the nearest major railway stations. There is also a slow-train branch line terminus at Umreth, 7 km away.
By Air : The nearest airport is in Vadodara- 78 km south, but the Ahmedabad airport- 90 km to the northwest, is not much further and has far more flights.
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