Darshan timings at Dakor Ranchhodrai
| Season | Opens | Darshan | Closes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All year (morning) | 6:45 AM (Mangla Aarti) | Balbhog, Shringar, Gwal and Rajbhog darshan through the morning | 12:00 PM | Open |
| Midday break | 12:00 PM | Sanctum closed for the deity's rest and re-dressing | 4:00 PM | Closed |
| All year (evening) | 4:00 PM (Uthapan) | Sandhya Aarti at approx. 6:30 PM, Shayan darshan follows | 7:30 PM (Shakhdi Bhog, last darshan) | Open |
| Poonam and festival days | Extended, often from before dawn | Hours are lengthened and queues managed in shifts for the huge crowds | Late | Seasonal |
Read the full Timings & Darshan Hours →
How to reach Dakor Ranchhodrai Temple (Shree Ranchhodraiji Maharaj Mandir)
Dakor sits in Kheda district, roughly midway between Ahmedabad and Vadodara and well connected by its own rail station and frequent buses. The temple is in the heart of the old town beside Gomti lake, an easy walk or short auto ride from both the station and the bus stand.
| Mode | Point | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | Dakor Railway Station | approx. 1.4 km | Dakor has its own station on the Anand to Godhra line; Anand Junction is roughly 29 km away for mainline connections. |
| Bus / Road | Dakor ST Bus Stand | approx. 1.2 km | State and private buses run from Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Nadiad and Anand. Nadiad is approx. 35 km, Anand approx. 43 km. |
| Air | Vadodara Airport | approx. 78 km | Nearest airport. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad (approx. 86 to 90 km) is the nearest major international gateway. |
| Road from city | Ahmedabad | approx. 90 km | About a two-hour drive; Vadodara is approx. 78 km. Taxis and shared cabs are easy to arrange. |
Puja & aarti schedule
- Mangla Aarti (temple opens, first darshan of the day)6:45 AM
- Balbhog, Shringar Bhog and Gwal Bhog darshanapprox. 9:00 to 10:30 AM
- Rajbhog Aarti and darshan, then the sanctum closesapprox. 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM
- Uthapan (deity woken, evening darshan resumes)4:00 PM
- Sandhya (evening) Aartiapprox. 6:30 PM
- Shakhdi Bhog, Shayan darshan and closing7:30 PM
Read the full Aarti & Puja Schedule →
Dress code & temple rules
Dress modestly and traditionally; cover shoulders and legs out of respect for the sanctum.
Leather items, including belts, wallets and bags, are not permitted inside the temple.
Remove all footwear before entering; use the designated shoe-keeping stalls outside.
Photography and videography are not allowed inside the sanctum; drones are not permitted around the temple.
Many pilgrims take a holy dip in Gomti lake before darshan, in keeping with tradition.
Keep phones silent and maintain queue discipline, especially on Poonam days when crowds are very large.
Read the full Dress Code & Temple Rules →
Best time to visit & festivals
October to March is the pleasant window for a calm visit, with cool weather ideal for the walk around Gomti lake and the bazaar. If you want the electric mass-devotion experience, come on a Poonam (full moon), when Dakor transforms; Falgun Poonam is the peak of the year.
| Festival | When | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Falgun (Fuldol) Poonam | February to March (full moon of Falgun, coincides with Holi) | The temple's largest gathering. Lakhs of devotees, many walking as padayatris from Ahmedabad and across Gujarat, converge on Dakor; colours, singing and round-the-clock darshan. Peak |
| Sharad Purnima | October (full moon of Ashwin) | Celebrates the divine love of Radha and Krishna with special decoration, processions and moonlit festivity. |
| Janmashtami | August to September | Krishna's birth is marked with elaborate shringar, bhajans and midnight celebration, drawing thousands. |
| Every Poonam (full moon) | Monthly | Each full-moon day is a pilgrimage day at Dakor, with markedly larger crowds and a fair-like atmosphere in the town. |
| Kartik Purnima and Diwali | October to November | Festive darshan and special bhog during the Kartik month and the Diwali period. |
Read the full Best Time to Visit & Festivals →
Nearby temples & tirths
Pavagadh Mahakali Temple
Shakti Peeth atop Pavagadh hill within the Champaner heritage site, an easy add-on to the east.
Modhera Sun Temple
The eleventh-century Solanki sun temple with its stepped kund, a stunning day trip to the northwest.
Dwarkadhish Temple, Dwarka
Krishna's own Dwarka, the very city Bodana's legend links to Dakor; the natural pairing for a Krishna pilgrimage.
Read the full Nearby Temples & Tirths →
Where to stay
Dakor is geared for pilgrims, so beds cluster within walking distance of the temple. Dharamshalas and yatrik nivas are the mainstay: Shri Mewad Bhavan sits about 500 m away with two, three and four-bed AC rooms, while Chitrakoot Surat Dharamshala offers AC and non-AC rooms plus dormitories for larger groups. Other trusted options include Shree Vallabh Niwas, Mewad Bhavan Damodar, the Swaminarayan Temple accommodation and various samaj bhavans and ashrams, most at modest, pilgrim-friendly rates. Book well ahead for any Poonam or festival date, when the whole town fills; on ordinary days rooms are usually easy to find on arrival.
Frequently asked questions
What are the darshan timings at Dakor Ranchhodrai temple?
Is Dakor temple closed in the afternoon?
Which is the nearest railway station to Dakor temple?
How far is Dakor from Ahmedabad?
What is the best time to visit Dakor temple?
Is there a dress code at Dakor Ranchhodrai temple?
Compiled from public sources including YatraDham - Dakor temple timings and aarti · Gujarat Tourism - Ranchhodrai Temple, Dakor · Kheda District (Government of Gujarat) - Ranchhodrai Dakor Temple · Official temple site - Purnima and Utsav. Timings and seasonal closures change; confirm with the temple trust before travelling.