Kopeshwar temple

Kopeshwar Temple at Khidrapur
Kopeshwar Temple at Khidrapur
Kopeshwar Temple at Khidrapur Location in Maharashtra
Name
Proper name	Shri Kopeshwar
Geography
Coordinates	16°42′00″N 74°41′5″E / 16.70000°N 74.68472°E / 16.70000; 74.68472Coordinates: 16°42′00″N 74°41′5″E / 16.70000°N 74.68472°E / 16.70000; 74.68472
Country	India
State/province	Maharashtra
District	Kolhapur
Culture
Primary deity	Shiva
History and governance
Date built	11th century

Kopeshwar Temple is at Khidrapur, Kolhapur district, Maharashtra. It is at the border of Maharashtra and Karnataka It is also accessible from Sangli as well. It was built by Shilahara King Gandaraditya in the 12th century by Shilahara kings Gandaraditya, Vijayaditya and Bhoj-2 between 1109 and 1178 AD and then by Seuna Yadavas. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is to the east of Kolhapur, ancient & artistic on the bank of the Krishna river. This temple got recently came into discussion when the film shoot of Katyar Kaljat Ghusali was done for the song of "Shiv Bhola Bhandari" in the temple.

Structure

Inside view of SwargaGruha of Kopeshwar Temple, Khidrapur

It has a vestibule with an open top. the sanctum is conical. The exterior has stunning carvings of deities and secular figures. Elephant statues sustain the weight of the temple at the base. ln the interior we first see Vishnu (Dhopeshwar) & Shivaling facing north. But there is no Nandi who has separate Mandir. Separate Actor-Pendal, hall, old pillars, carvings of gods & male and femnale artists in various poses are attractive. The ceiling is semi-circular with rnatchless engravings. On the out side, complete 'Shivaleelamrit' is carved. The Kopeshwar, Ancient & artistic temple situated on the bank of Krishna is a fine example of ancient sculpture. It was built in 11-12 century by Shilahara. The ceiling is semi-circular with matchless engravings. Inside there is statue of Vishnu( Dhopeshwar) and Shivling facing north. Theree is no nandi who has separate Mandir. Separate Actor-Pendal, hall, old pillars, carvings of gods & male-female artists in various poses are attractive.

References

Sources

• Kanhere, Gopal Krishna. The Temples of Maharashtra. Maharashtra Information Centre 1989 p. 105 asif

Gallery

Hindu Temples in Maharashtra
	Alandi Ashtavinayaka Morgaon Siddhatek Pali Mahad Theur Lenyadri Ozar Ranjangaon Bhimashankar Temple Bhuleshwar Temple Chaturshringi Temple Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple Dashabhuja Temple Ganapati Temple, Redi Grishneshwar Jejuri Kailash Temple Kalaram Temple Kopeshwar temple Kopineshwar Mandir, Thane Kukdeshwar Temple Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple, Mumbai Mahur Renuka Temple Mandhradevi Mumba Devi Temple Panchavati Patit Pavan Mandir Rameshwar Mandir Saptashrungi Sarasbaug Ganpati Satpuda Manudevi Temple, Adgaon Shani Shingnapur Shegaon Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Mumbai Siddheshwar & Ratneshwar Temple Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai Titwala Ganesha temple Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple Tulja Bhavani Temple Vajreshwari Temple Vithoba Temple, Pandharpur Yamai