Dakor Ranchodrayji – Part 6 Full Ranchod Bavni and one laughter bite

રણછોડ તું રંગીલો નાથ, વિશ્વ સકળ તારો સાથ
ભૂમિ કેરો હરવો ભાર, જગમાં પ્રગટ્યો વારંવાર

જન્મ ધર્યો તેં કારાગાર, જગતમાં કરવા ચમત્કાર
કંસરાયને થાયે જાણ તેથી કીધું તરત પ્રયાણ

ગોકુળમાં જઈ કીધો વાસ, નંદ જશોદાજીની પાસ
વર્ણન કરતા ના’વે પાર એવીતારી લીલા અપાર
ગોવાળોની સાથે, ગાય ચરાવી રાજી થાય

છાનો ગોરસ લૂંટી ખાય, પકડાતાં છટકી જાય
ગોપીકાનાં ચોર્યા ચિત્ત, સૌના ઉપર સરખી પ્રીત
બંસી કેરો સૂર મધૂર, સૂણનારા થાયે ચકચુર

શરદ પુનમની આવે રાત, સૌનો હૈયે થાય પ્રભાત
વ્રજવનિતા છોડે આવાસ, દોડી આવે રમવા આવે રાસ

તારલિયા ચમકે આકાશ, ચાંદલીયાને પૂર્ણ પ્રકાશ
દાનવ કેરો જ્યાં જ્યાં ત્રાસ, પળમાં જઈને કીધો નાશ

પટકી માર્યો મામો કંસ રહ્યો ન જગતમાં તેનો વંશ
કૌરવોને કીધા તંગ પાંડવોનો રાખી સંગ

અર્જુનને તેં દીધો બોધ, જ્ઞાનામૃતનો વરસ્યો ધોધ
યુધ્ધ તજીને કીધી દોડ, નામ પડ્યું રણછોડ

દ્વારિકામાં કીધો વાસ ધર્મ ધજા ફરકે ચોપાસ
ગુજરાતે એક ડાકોર ગામ, ભક્ત થયો બોડાણો નામ

પત્ની જેની ગંગાબાઈ તે પણ ભક્તિમાં રંગાઈ
હરતાં ફરતાં ગાયે ગાન મેળવવા ચાહે ભગવાન

તેવામાં એક આવ્યો સંઘ રેલાયો ભક્તિનો રંગ
યાત્રાળુઓ દ્વારિકા જાય, બોડાણો તેમાં જોડાય

ગોમતીજીમાં કીધું સ્નાન ભાવે નિર્ખ્યા શ્રી ભગવાન
છ માસે આવીશ હું ધામ ટેકે એવી લીધી નિષ્કામ

તુલસીવાળી કાયમ જાય, પ્રભુને અર્પી રાજી થાય
સહન કરે એ કષ્ટ અમાપ ભલે પડે ઠંડી કે તાપ

વૃદ્ધ થયો પણ હૈયે હામ અવિચળ શ્રદ્ધા આડો જાન
સિત્તેર વર્ષ વિત્યા છે એમ ત્યારે પૂરણ થઈ છે નેમ

બોડાણો જીત્યો છે દાવ, પ્રભુના હૈયે પ્રગટ્યો ભાવ
હવે લાવજે ગાડું સાથ, બોલ્યો વિશ્વસકળનો નાથ

ખડખડતી લીધી છે વ્હેલ વૃદ્ધ થયેલા જોડ્યા બેલ
ગંગાબાઈએ દીધી વિદાય, બોડાણો હરખાતો જાય

બોડાણાને રાતો રાત મૂક્યા દ્વારિકાની વાટ
દર્શન કરતાં કહે છે નાથ, ગાડું લાવ્યો છું સાથ

ગુગળીઓ મનમાં વ્હેમાય, ભક્ત પ્રભુને ના લઈ જાય
માર્યા તાળાં મજબૂત દ્વાર પડીને વાગ્યા બાર

વ્હાલો નીકળી નાઠો બહાર, વ્હેલ તરત કીધી તૈયાર
ગાડું હાંકે જગદાધાર કહે પછી શું લાગે વાર

ઉમરેઠ પકડી લીમડા ડાળ મીઠી થઈ તે તત્કાળ
વ્હાણું વાયું વીતી રાત ડાકોર માંહે થયું પ્રભાત

ગંગાબાઈએ નિરખ્યો નાથ, ઉર ઉમકળે જોડ્યા હાથ
ડાકોર વરત્યો જય જયકાર, દ્વારિકામાં હાહાકાર

દ્વારિકાના રાજાની સાથ ગુગળી લેવા આવ્યા નાથ
ભગત સામે લેવા જાય, માર્યો ભાલે મૃત્યુ થાય

ભાવિકોના દિલ દુઃખાય બદલો લેવા સામા ધાય
ગંગાબાઈએ ધીરજ ધરી, વ્હાલમજીએ વિપત્ત હરી

ગુગળી સોનુ લેવા ધાય, વ્હાલો વાળીએ તોળાય
રીઝ્યો વિશ્વસકળનો ભૂપ મનસુખરામનું લીધું રૂપ

સંત પુનિતને દીધી હામ પુરણ કીધાં સઘળા કામ
’રામભક્ત’ જે કરશે પાઠ નાથ ઝાલશે તેનો હાથ

પૂર્ણિમાએ પ્રેમથી ડાકોર દર્શન થાય
રામભક્ત તે પુનિત બને, કારજ સઘળા થાય
                                      

One laughing bite: Read this also, really full of comedy:A Bhajan by parsi manoos

નરસિંહ મેહતાને શરાદતી વખતે finance problem નડ્યો જો,
ચેક લખીને મારા પરભુએ એવની  Prestige રાખી જો,
એવી રીતે મારા પરભુજીએ  ભક્તોના દુઃખડા હર્યા જો,

પ્રહલાદજીને એવના પપ્પાએ પર્વત પરથી ફેક્યો જો,
ટ્રીક કરીને મારા પરભુએ એવનો  કૅચ કીધો જો,
એવી રીતે મારા પરભુજીએ ભક્તોના દુઃખડા હર્યા જો,

મીંરાબાઈને એવના ધણીએ Poison Pack દિધો જો,
ટ્રીક કરીને મારા પરભુએ એવનનું સરબત કિધુ જો,
એવી રીતે મારા પરભુજીએ ભક્તોના દુઃખડા હર્યા જો,

કુરુક્ષેત્રમાં Cousin Brotherમાં Solid ઝગડો જામ્યો જો,
એવે વખ્તે મારા પરભુએ ઘોડાગાડીનું Driving કીધુ જો,
એવી રીતે મારા પરભુજીએ ભક્તોના દુઃખડા હર્યા જો,

ભરી સભામાં દુઃશાસને દ્રોપદિના ચિર ખેચ્યા જો,
Wholesaleમાં મારા પરભુએ સાડીઓ  Supply કીધી જો,
એવી રીતે મારા પરભુજીએ ભક્તોના દુઃખડા હર્યા જો,

-By જીતુભાઈ દ્વારકાવાળા

Dakor Ranchodrayji – Part 5 Jay Ranchod, nothing else.

We have seen history upto almost V.S 1750 in this series, where Lord krishna Idol got name of RAnchod MATA also and got true Sadhu-Mahatma also who had identified the God and started daily Pooja-Path at right place. 

Part1   -- Describes Detail and know story of Bodano and Dwarka, some unknown facts and many more 

Part2   -- Describes what happened in Dakor. There are also some self experiences mentioned which are worth to read, after reading you will definitely go for it for sure. 

Part 3  -- Describes What happened to Krishna Idol after Bodano died, for almost 300 years. Lying idle and worshiped by Adivasis  mostly and many more things. 

Part4    --Describes what happened after when one able sadhu-mahatma arrives and made small temple at actual location

Part5   -- Describes how lakshmiji temple built first and then how current Ranchodrayji temple built. What are the traditions followed then and now.

Part6  --Given “Ranchod bavni” in gujarati and one imaginary Bhajan by PArsi Manoos for Lord Krishna (actual by some unknown)

Now comes one more twist, it is about general tease between husband and wife, same happened to Lakshmiji and husband Vishnuji also, to show her at higher stage goddess Lakshmiji appeard in dream to one of the richest businessman in Khambhat state. She ordered him to make a temple in Dakor of her and place Krishna Idol into that temple. That businessman did the same and I am sure you have visited Laksmiji temple of Dakor, which is elder than current Ranchodji temple is the same one where Goddess Lakshmiji reside as a main character.

Later on, within next 30-40 years of time, Lord vishwakarma Appeared on behalf of Lord Vishnu into dream of Tambekar (ruler of Dakor governed by Baroda Gaikwad) and said that there is a plan of temple in your office at so and so place, build the giant temple in the ground opposite to Gomti lake. He did the same and today prasad which is offered at Ranchodrayji temple is then routed to Lakshmiji temple. At a fix date Ranchodrayji goes to Lakshmiji temple for some fix time and return back on the same day. There is also one chandbibi dargah adjacent to temple wall at east gate, which is also important. Today temple comes under charity commissioner and there is fix schedule for Brahmins (tapodhan, gugli, and shrigol) for coming 10 years. There is also fix Astrologers specially for temple who decides the directions, timings and dates for any auspicious days round the year and for next 10 years.

Tip1  : Whenever you go to Dakor, don’t forgot to do the Pradakshina, and  don’t miss the Kesar milk and other items which are sold or given as the prasad backside the temple in the pradakshina route. Specially don’t miss Kesar Dudh.

Tip2  : don’t forget to visit Lakshmiji Temple and Dunknath Mahadev Temple as these both are associated with Journy of Lord Krishna during 1212 to 1828. Also go to the Footsteps temple which is actually in the Gomti lake (there is small bridge over there). If you are lucky you will see very giant turtle (almost 4-5ft long ) in the lake.

Tip3  : Don’t miss “ Vatidal na Khaman” made by one deaf and dumb guy located near “Kanku Darwaja” and “Chetan’s Gota” located in “Vada Bajar” area. Both are nearby to the temple. and both are famous one, you can ask any shopkeeper there. 

Tip4 : During Diwali time perioed, it is really nice to be there in Dakor. The Atmosphere is really astonishing , people across dakor walking here and there in every temples. Lakshmiji temple, Hanumanji temple located opposite to Gomti Lake, Kuleshwari Mata temple and many more. Everyone dressed in new cloths, shaking hands with each other. It was so good that I love to be there. 

Tip5:  If possible be there at Dakor during night at Dushera time when Lord Ranchodrayji goes out of Dakor for hanging rakhi which he has tied during RAkshabandhan to the one tree (Khijdo) outside dakor. This place is called “ranchodrayji ni vadi”. Lord were sitting on elephant and musicians  with flute and dhol in hand played dhun all around the trip.

This is it from my end, anyone who has extra information or relavant info, can share via comments or can send me. MAY Lord Krishna fulfill right wishes of all and fuel the Rashtraprem and Gaumata prem into the hearts of all. “JAY RANCHOD”.

My mother Shri Savitriben S Acharya, me and my younger brother Chirag used to sing RANCHOD BAVNI daily during bedtime. Those who are interested in “Ranchod Bavni”, I will post  it in my next blogpost, also one sweet funny HAJAN based on Lord Krishna  sung by a parsi guy will also be posted.

Dakor Ranchodrayji – Part 4 Why the real Sadhu-Mahatama’s are great in past, present and future also.

Hi All, 

 A humble request to you all .......

We have seen in last part how Lord Krishna Idol got identified as RANCHOD MATA by local adivasis, now in this post we will see what happened to the Idol after almost V.S 1500. 

India has a history of Sadhu-Mahatma’s who has changed the entire picture in past. Those Sadhu’s who are really able to do the things, never said that in public, and tells in public are mostly fraud. There are so many examples currently. But during that days it was tradition that Sadhu’s were keep changing their locations to spread Dharma more and more. One such very able Sadhu with his mandali came to Dakor for short stay. Name is not available of that Mahatma, but he identified that this idol which was lying in mud is not normal one, he had seen God Vishnu in that Idol. 

He immediately shifted that Idol to the opposite ground where current temple has been built up, clean the surrounding and made one small hut kind of temple.  There were instances where Adivasis, which were doing puja and Vadh for almost 200 years, comes there for Bali (cutting goats), but this Mahatma and his team make them runaway.  By this way he had stopped worshipping of Ranchod Mata and started worshipping him Daily as “Ranchod Rayji Bhagwan”. 

He had set tradition for daily pooja and some others. He and his followers had continued this kind of tradition and pooja till next 200-250 years. Now comes 1750 portion, where one more twist is awaiting for this idol.

We will talk about the same in next post, but till then go through tips and make sure that you will be there and do all the things mentioned in tips.

Tip1  : Whenever you go to Dakor, don’t forgot to do the Pradakshina, and  don’t miss the Kesar milk and other items which are sold or given as the prasad backside the temple in the pradakshina route. Specially don’t miss Kesar Dudh.

Tip2  : don’t forget to visit Lakshmiji Temple and Dunknath Mahadev Temple as these both are associated with Journy of Lord Krishna during 1212 to 1828. Also go to the Footsteps temple which is actually in the Gomti lake (there is small bridge over there). If you are lucky you will see very giant turtle (almost 4-5ft long ) in the lake.

Tip3  : Don’t miss “ Vatidal na Khaman” made by one deaf and dumb guy located near “Kanku Darwaja” and “Chetan’s Gota” located in “Vada Bajar” area. Both are nearby to the temple. and both are famous one, you can ask any shopkeeper there. 

Tip4 : During Diwali time perioed, it is really nice to be there in Dakor. The Atmosphere is really astonishing , people across dakor walking here and there in every temples. Lakshmiji temple, Hanumanji temple located opposite to Gomti Lake, Kuleshwari Mata temple and many more. Everyone dressed in new cloths, shaking hands with each other. It was so good that I love to be there.

 A humble request to you all .......

Dakor Ranchodrayji – Part 3 What happened after Bodano died

Hi Dear Readers, 

We have gone through some known facts, stories, some imp self experiences in previous two posts mentioned here:

Part1

Part2

Now totally unknown portion comes. You will not find any suitable information regarding this anywhere, even if the official history released by Dakor temple committee here. 

When soldiers from Dwarka had killed Bodano and later on weighting and all that done, Idol of Lord Dwarkadish lying on the bank of Gomti only, half in to the mud.  It was lying there as it is for so many years, almost 200-250 years. 

Now comes the interesting part, if you have noticed during shringar of Ranchodrayji idol currently, and if you have noticed at that particular time the head of the idol, there is a mugat carved by default in the idol which looks like Adivasi queen (feathers of peacock on both the sides). So because of this thing, people living around Dakor (who were mostly Adivasis and lower castes) felt that this idol is of Goddess  and they even named if “RANCHOD  MATA”. They started to offer goats to Ranchod Mata once their wishes completes. This has happened actually. Blood of goats had been there in front of idol.  

This thing continued for almost 200 years. Idol was still there on the bank of Gomti Lake, half in the mud.

We have talked about the thing happened during V.S 1212 to around V.S 1500. Still there is almost 300 years left before which current temple of Lord Krishna built. Actual temple got built and completed in V.S 1828 (in our term year 1772).

So still there are three twists left before out series ends. Till then enjoy reading and go to the Dakor even if you got little chance or time.

Tip1  : Whenever you go to Dakor, don’t forgot to do the Pradakshina, and  don’t miss the Kesar milk and other items which are sold or given as the prasad backside the temple in the pradakshina route. Specially don’t miss Kesar Dudh.

Tip2  : don’t forget to visit Lakshmiji Temple and Dunknath Mahadev Temple as these both are associated with Journy of Lord Krishna during 1212 to 1828. Also go to the Footsteps temple which is actually in the Gomti lake (there is small bridge over there). If you are lucky you will see very giant turtle (almost 4-5ft long ) in the lake.

Tip3  : Don’t miss “ Vatidal na Khaman” made by one deaf and dumb guy located near “Kanku Darwaja” and “Chetan’s Gota” located in “Vada Bajar” area. Both are nearby to the temple. and both are famous one, you can ask any shopkeeper there.

Why Dwarkadish--Dwarka has child look (Bal-swaroop) and Ranchodrayji –Dakor has younger look (YUVA)

Hi All,

You all have heard about DAKOR as a holy place where SHRI KRISHNA (RAnchodrayji) temple is there. Shri Krishna swaroop here in Dakor is young, while in the Dwarka it is Bal-Swaroop (childlike look—bal swaroop) and at Shamlaji, it is Aged one (Vridhdha) look.




Have you ever questioned why, why the lord Krishna is in younger look at Dakor and why in childish look in Dwarka. Before 900 years there was no temple in Dakor at all and Dwarka got younger look lord Krishna.

Most of us know the story of Bodana and lord Krishna, how he has requested-shifted lord Krishna to Dakor in V.S 1212, and right now it is V.S. 2069 (in current year 2012). So it has been almost 850 years. Now here comes the twist, current Dakor Ranchodray temple (lord Krishna temple) is built just before 300 years during Gaikwad sarkar (Vadodara rule). So what could be the status of statue before 300 years for almost 500 year.

I got the same questions in my mind and inquired the same to my uncle Mr Sitaramdasji Mahant , as I was there in Dakor during last weekend at my uncle’s home, where we also got one Big temple of Lord Shri RAM and 12Ft long excavated Lord Shri Hanumanji. I got some really useful information from Uncle, which I would like to share with you all. What happened after 1212, why Shri Ranchodrayji once known as Ranchod mata and how current temple constructed.



I will share the information in parts, and those who want to have detailed information can contact me directly.

Tip of the article : Whenever you go to Dakor, don’t forgot to do the Pradakshina, and  don’t miss the Kesar milk and other items which are sold or given as the prasad backside the temple in the pradakshina route. Specially don’t miss Kesar Dudh.

Uttrayan-Makarsankranti...........the Gujarat way of Celebration.......................Unique Dariyai (sea) Utarayan at Khambhat

Hi Friends,

I know I am late, but I cant stop myself to write about Utarayan festival I have celebrated this time.

Generally, we Gujju people are more crazy about utarayan than Diwali and any other festival all over the year. Kites were flying 2 months ago almost every corner of Gujarat. Finally during the 14 & 15 January, all are present on their terrace, ground including small and elders for the whole day. In some cases till 2 AM, flying white kites and tukkal.

Now coming to my experience this year. This year Utarayan was on Friday, Vasi Utarayan on 15th Jan Saturday and 16th Jan was official holiday as sunday. So during these three days, I was in four different city of Gujarat, enjoying this festival in different mood.

• 14 Jan --in Gandhinagar(capital city of Gujarat) and Ahmedabad. 
• 15 Jan -- in Tarapur and Khambhat (one taluka place in Gujarat)
• 16 Jan -- in Khambhat whole day, enjoying Dariyaeee (sea) Utarayan. 

You all might know something more or less about utarayan in Ahmedabad or Gandhinagar, but in this article I am going to give you glimpse about Khambhat (cambay) Utarayan. This was the first time I have seen the Khambhat Utarayan. Some unique point about that;

• Khambhat is known for its kite making industry, speciall well fabricated kites that sells at above average price in market. Generally it is called "khambhati patang".
• I have seen people flying very large size kites all over the day. Generally here in other parts of Gujarat, we enjoy flying one big kite during the whole day and felt proud and satisfied. But in proper Khambhat the scene is different, almost all the people flies very very large kites continuously all over the day. 
• It is general tradition in Khambhat that people use to fly one kite with whole one Phirki. 
• They celebrate Dariyai (sea shore )Utarayan following Sunday of 14th January, so this year it was on 16 Jan. 
• On this day around 4 PM, almost all the people of Khambhat went to nearby sea shore, where currently salt has been produced. This continues to till 8 or 9 PM. 
• Just imagine four to 5 thousand people flying kites at one place, which includes more than 50% muslims and all are enjoying. Just see the below photographs to believe it. 
• It was like funfare with kites flying mandatory like thing. 
• There was no place to park our vehicle, police arrangement was adequate. 
• SALT agar (lake) were filled with Kites in water. It was like lake was producing kites instead of Salt. 
• During the Vasi Utarayan day (15 jan), after evening crackers were busted till the 11 PM continuously all over the Khambhat.  

In the end I would to have next Gujarat International Kite festival to be hosted at this place only,

• as it is perfectly suitable place for big kite flying (wind, space available and easy transportation)
• people were coming without invitation on that particular day. 
• We can promote Salt Agar tourism by this way. Central Gujarat tourism will be developed by this way.
• We can show the world how Muslims and Hindus are celebrating one festival with joy. 
• Local people will also participate with their giant kites. 

I do hope that Gujarat Government official take note of this event and organize next event at this place only like they has done this time at Mandvi and Tent city in Kutch.