Dakor Ranchhodraiji Temple (Shri Ranchhodraiji Maharaj Temple) stands in Dakor, Gujarat, is dedicated to Lord Krishna as Shri Ranchhodraiji (Dakorna Thakor). It is also known as Shri Ranchhodraiji Maharaj Mandir; Dakor Temple; Thakorji of Dakor.
One of Gujarat's best known Krishna pilgrimage centres, where Krishna is worshipped as Ranchhodraiji, a form tied to the Dwarka legend of Bodana. The Kheda district website notes that devotees visit regularly on every Purnima (full moon). The temple's own history page links Dakor to the sage Dank Rishi and the Danknath Mahadev lingam, and tells how the Rajput devotee Bodana carried Krishna's image from Dwarka to Dakor, an event that is the basis of the town's Krishna worship.
Gujarat carries a distinct temple identity of its own: Gujarat's sacred coast and hills hold the first Jyotirlinga at Somnath, Krishna's kingdom at Dwarka, a Shakti Peeth at Ambaji and the temple-crowned heights of Girnar.
Darshan hours and daily worship
| Session | Timing (as published) |
|---|---|
| Morning | 6:45 AM - 12:00 PM (Monday to Saturday; on Sundays 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM) |
| Evening | 4:00 PM - 7:30 PM (Monday to Saturday; on Sundays 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM) |
Read on 2026-10-15 from the timetable image on the temple's own Daily Darshan Timings page (ranchhodraiji.org/daily-darshan-timings), originally in Gujarati. Darshan open and closed windows: Mangala Aarti darshan 6:45 - 8:30 AM (closed 8:30 - 9:00); Balbhog, Shringarbhog and Gwalbhog darshan combined 9:00 - 11:00 AM (closed 11:00 - 11:30); Rajbhog Aarti darshan 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM, then the temple is fully closed from 12:00 to 4:00 PM; Utthapan Aarti darshan 4:00 - 5:00 PM (closed 5:00 - 5:15); Shayanbhog Aarti 5:15 - 6:00 PM (closed 6:00 - 6:45); Sakhdibhog darshan 6:45 - 7:30 PM, after which darshan is closed. The timetable notes that timings differ on Sundays, festivals, manorath days, utsavs and Purnima days, and states that on Sundays darshan stays continuously open 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 4:00 - 6:00 PM. Gujarat Tourism lists slightly different hours (6 AM - 12 noon and 4 - 7 PM), so the temple's own timetable is used here.
Poojas and daily rituals
The day follows a sequence of darshans with short closures between them for offerings: Mangala Aarti, the combined Balbhog, Shringarbhog and Gwalbhog, Rajbhog Aarti, a long midday closure, Utthapan Aarti, Shayanbhog Aarti and finally Sakhdibhog before the temple closes.
Daily aarti and pooja schedule
| Ritual | Time |
|---|---|
| Mangala Aarti darshan (open) | 6:45 AM - 8:30 AM |
| Balbhog, Shringarbhog and Gwalbhog darshan (open) | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
| Rajbhog Aarti darshan (open) | 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM |
| Utthapan Aarti darshan (open) | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
| Shayanbhog Aarti darshan (open) | 5:15 PM - 6:00 PM |
| Sakhdibhog darshan (open) | 6:45 PM - 7:30 PM |
Festivals and special-day timings
Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.
| Festival | Period | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Purnima (full moon) | Every full moon day | The temple's official site has a dedicated Purnima and Utsav section, and the Kheda district website notes that devotees visit in large numbers on every Purnima; darshan timings differ on these days. |
History and architecture
Architecture
The temple stands inside a fort wall beside the Gomti lake in the middle of Dakor's main bazaar. Gujarat Tourism describes 8 domes and 24 turrets, a central dome about 27 m high in Maharashtrian temple style, a golden kalash and a flag at the top, and a main hall with paintings of scenes from Krishna's life. The main image is of black stone, about 1 m tall, and a woodcarved throne plated with silver and gold is a gift of the Gaekwad of Baroda.
History
The temple's own history page links Dakor to the sage Dank Rishi and the Danknath Mahadev lingam, and tells how the Rajput devotee Bodana carried Krishna's image from Dwarka to Dakor, an event that is the basis of the town's Krishna worship. In 1769 the financier Gopal Jagannath Tambwekar petitioned the Peshwa and the Gaikwad rulers, who granted the village of Dakor and a second village (Kanjari) to support the temple, and the present building dates from 1772. Management was formalised in stages, with a Dakor Temple Scheme approved in 1916 and registration as a public religious trust in 1952.
Planning your visit
How to reach
Located in the main bazaar of Dakor, Thasra taluka, Kheda district, Gujarat, PIN 388225. Gujarat Tourism gives Dakor as about 43 km from Anand and about 35 km from Nadiad, names Nadiad and Anand as the nearest major railway stations (with a branch-line terminus at Umreth about 8 km away), Vadodara airport about 78 km away and Ahmedabad airport about 90 km away. Buses run from Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Anand.
Where this information comes from
Confidence: High. Hours read on 2026-10-15 from the timetable image on the temple's own site (ranchhodraiji.org, whose footer names Shri Ranchhodraiji Maharaj Dakor Temple), including the Sunday variation; the image is undated and Gujarat Tourism lists slightly different hours; fee and dress code are not stated