The Declaration at Vadtal Pratishtha
On Kartik Sud 12, V.S. 1881 (1824 C.E.), Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan performed the murti pratishtha of the Vadtal Mandir, as documented in the Shreemad Satsangi Jivan (Prakaran 4, Adhyay 27). Shortly after performing the pran pratishtha vidhi, Shreeji Maharaj addressed all those who were gathered:
“O devotees! All of you listen to My words with respect. In this central shrine, Laxminarayan Dev whom I have established is to be known as the manifest Shree Dwarkadhish Himself. That Bhagwan Shree Krishna who is the Lord of Dwarka is the very same as this Laxminarayan; know that there is no difference in their forms. Whosoever believes there is a difference is a fool. My words are the truth. Do not harbor any doubt in this.”
The Journey of the Dharmakul and Sachidanand Swami
Though Dwarkadhish was now established in Vadtal, the other tirths of Dwarka remained. Additionally, Shreeji Maharaj wished to solidify the importance of Vadtal in the hearts of all devotees. Consequently, while seated in Gadhpur during the Vasant Panchami samaiyo in V.S. 1881 (1825 C.E.), He spoke extensively regarding the mahima and yatra of Dwarka. Hearing this, Rampratapji and Iccharamji’s sons, Nandram and Gopalram, along with Mancharam (cousin of Shreeji Maharaj), expressed their desire to go on a tirthyatra. Maharaj had Mayaram Bhatt find an auspicious muhrat, which fell on Maha Sud 9. Dharmakul asked for a guide so Maharaj instructed Sachidanand Swami to accompany Dharmakul, as he was familiar with the route.
Upon reaching the vicinity of the Dwarka Mandir, they found a dharamshala for an overnight stay. During the night, Sachidanand Swami entered a state of samadhi (divine trance). As it was unclear how long he would remain in this state, Dharmakul—after ensuring the sevak of the dharamshala would care for Swami—continued onward to the mandir for darshan.
The Trials of a Tyagi in Dwarka
After three days, Sachidanand Swami emerged from samadhi. Finding Dharmakul gone, he set out toward the mandir for darshan. He first went to Gomati Lake to bathe, but the sevaks at the lake denied him, stating he must pay a fee. Being a tyagi, Swami carried no money. He then went to receive chhaps (imprints), but the Gugali Brahmins similarly refused him without payment. Finally, he went to Bet Dwarka, where the guard at the gate denied him entry as well.
Deeply saddened, Swami found a place to sit and pray, performing the smaran of Bhagwan Dwarkadhish. After 10 days of doing continuous upvas, on the day of Ekadashi, Swami was granted divine darshan of Bhagwan Dwarkadhish and Shree Rukminiji in meditation. Swami performed stuti, and Dwarkadhish asked, “What is your wish?”
Swami replied, “I have come from far away and am fortunate to have Your darshan in this divine way. However, if a poor person were to come for Your darshan and be denied as I was, what would become of them?”
Bhagwan Dwarkadhish then revealed:
“I have long desired to reside where the hearts of seekers are pure and free from worldly greed. While I remain here to bless this ancient land, My heart finds its home where My devotees serve with selfless love. Because of the promise I gave to Shree Hari, He built Vadtal Dham. He established two of My idols there, and I reside there with a firm heart. Today, as you return, My divine energy and the sanctity of Gomti shall accompany you, bridging the distance between these two holy homes. Therefore, depart without worry; the members of the Dharmakul are waiting for you.”
The Radiant Return to Gadhpur
Dharmakul and Sachidanand Swami departed Dwarka for Gadhpur. Each night as they rested, they shared the same divine experience: dreaming that Dwarkadhish and Rukminiji were traveling alongside them. However, they did not yet know they were sharing the same vision.
Shreeji Maharaj, being the all-knower, resided in Gadhpur as this unfolded and had the tapt-mudra (the sacred heated imprints of the Shankh, Chakra, Gada, and Padma) prepared. When the group reached Gadhpur on Fagan Sud 6, during the evening Sandhya Aarti, a brilliant light, shining like a million suns, began to radiate. The tirths of Dwarka presented themselves and merged into the swarup of Shreeji Maharaj.
When Dharmakul asked where these had come from, Maharaj instructed them to ask Sachidanand Swami. Swami narrated his encounters, and Dharmakul then narrated their dreams. Shreeji Maharaj then summoned Ladha Thakkar and had him write kankotris inviting everyone to Vadtal, announcing that Dwarkadhish and His family would begin to reside there during the Pushpadolotsav.
The Consecration of Gomtiji in Vadtal
On Amalki Ekadashi, V.S. 1881 (1825 C.E.), Dwarkadhish, Rukminiji, Gomatiji, and the tapt-mudra arrived in Vadtal. That night, all devotees present witnessed this divine darshan in their dreams. The following day, Shreeji Maharaj addressed the devotees again, affirming that the murti of Laxminarayan Dev is no different than Dwarkadhish Himself. He declared that Gomtiji would forever reside in the lake being excavated by Aksharanand Swami and that the holiness of Vadtal should be no different than that of Dwarka.
On the day of Pushpadolotsav, with Vedic rituals, Gomtiji was formally installed in the new lake. Devotees showered the waters with flowers and offered coconuts and gun salutes. Shreeji Maharaj, seated on a throne on the banks, declared:
“Whoever comes here and takes the Tapt Mudra, the Yamduts will stay far away from them in fear. I will consider only such a person as My true devotee; therefore, all of you should wear these imprints.” (Harililamrut 8.48)
He also proclaimed: “Know the day after Holi (Pratipada) to be the birth-anniversary of Gomti. Whoever comes here on that day, performs worship, and feeds the santo and Brahmins, will have all past sins erased and ultimately reside in Akshardham.”
The Sankalp for Ranchhodrai
One month later, during the Ram Navami samaiyo in Vadtal, Gopalji (the virtuous brother of Raghuvirji Maharaj) expressed a thought to Shreeji Maharaj (Harililamrut 8.45):
“In Dwarka, Krishna is Shyam (dark-complexioned); but here, in the form of Laxminarayan, the idol is white and incomparable. The name chosen is Laxminarayan, and Ranchhodji is not here; people will have a doubt, that how can this murti be accepted as Ranchhodji? Therefore, if a dark-colored idol is established with the name Ranchhodji, it would be better.”
Shreeji Maharaj responded:
“Know that Krishna is Narayan, and realize that Narayan is indeed Krishna; there is absolutely no difference between them, despite any doubts you may feel. However, your sankalp shall be fulfilled; Ranchhodji will be established here, and that idol will look beautiful in a dark hue.”
The Arrival from Dungarpur
Years later (Harililamrut 9.12), the murti was prepared in Dungarpur and Gopalji brought it to Vadtal. The murti took longer than expected because a suitable stone could not be found, hence it had to be very meticulously sculpted. He traveled to Gadhpur to inform Shreeji Maharaj that the murti was ready. Upon seeing Maharaj, Gopalji became teary-eyed, as Maharaj’s physical appearance had become weak and thin. Nonetheless, Maharaj was pleased at Gopalji.
As Maharaj’s health declined, Gopalji and Muktanand Swami approached Him regarding the pratishtha. Muktanand Swami spoke: “You have taken this illness upon Yourself… but regarding the idol of Ranchhodji to be installed in Vadtal; tell us, what should be done?”
Maharaj replied, “I cannot go to Vadtal. The two Acharyas shall go in my place.” He summoned the santo and haribhakto, saying: “The Hari Navami festival there must not stop. Therefore, let both Acharyas go, for they are like my own limbs… whoever serves them with love, I will surely accept that bhakti as mine.”
The Installation and the Divine Light
On Fagan Vad 12 V.S. 1886 (1830 C.E.), a sangh departed Gadhpur en route to Vadtal. On Chaitra Sud 8, they reached Vadtal and were welcomed by thousands of santo and haribhakto of both Vadtal Desh and Ahmedabad Desh. The auspicious day of Chaitra Vad 7 V.S. 1886 (1830 C.E.) was selected for the Murti Pratishtha of Shree Ranchhodrai.
On Chaitra Vad 7, Raghuvirji Maharaj, in his humility, asked Gopalji to perform the pratishtha vidhi because of his efforts in the Dwarka yatra and in preparing the murti. Gopalji declined, citing the Shikshapatri: “You are the Acharya today… if the Acharya performs the pratishtha, then only that form of Krishna is worthy of worship.”
Raghuvirji Maharaj then turned to Ayodhyaprasadji Maharaj (as Ayodhyaprasadji Maharaj was older), who sternly reminded him of Maharaj’s agyna: “Maharaj has divided the desh into two; how can we abandon His agyna? The pratishtha should happen within one’s own desh… where an agyna is broken, that place becomes a source of sin.”
Following the agyna, Raghuvirji Maharaj performed the pratishtha vidhi, installing the radiating murti alongside Laxminarayan Dev. As the aarti began, a divine ray of light—bright as a million suns and moons—illuminated the mandir. Many felt as if Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan Himself was standing amongst them. Gopalji then performed pujan and stuti. The celebration was attended by Hindus, Muslims, and Jains, all of whom were fed. Learning of the completion of the pratishtha, Shreeji Maharaj was immensely pleased.