Kopeshwar Temple, Kolhapur - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 40 km from Sangli, and 61 km from Kolhapur, Sri Kopeshwar Temple is an ancient Hindu temple situated at Khidrapur village in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. Located at the border of Maharashtra and Karnataka, it is one of the ancient temples in Maharashtra, and among popular places to visit near Kolhapur.

Built on the banks of River Krishna, Kopeshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and is one of the must include places in Kolhapur tour. According to archaeologists, the construction of the temple began by Badami Chalukyas in the 7th century AD and remained incomplete for a long time. It was patronized by the Shilahara Kings during the 12th century. Lord Shiva has worshiped here in the form of a Shivalinga as well as a sculpture of his fierce form, Veerbhadra. Legend has it that Lord Shiva got angry when Sati sacrificed herself and he was then brought to this temple by Lord Vishnu. This is how the temple got its name as Kopeshwar which means furious god.

Kopeshwar Temple is a magnificent piece of intricate Chalukyan architecture. Built with basalt stone, the entire temple is divided into four parts Swarga Mandap, Sabha Mandapa, Antarala, and Garbhagriha / Sanctum Sanctorum. The Swarg Mandap of the temple is unique and stunning. The mandap is supported by 48 beautifully carved pillars and has a large circular stone disc with an open roof. It has four entrances, each in the four cardinal directions. At the periphery of the Swarg Mandap, one can see beautifully carved idols of Lord Ganesh, Karthikeya, Kubera, Lord Yamraj, Lord Indra, etc. along with their carrier animals.

The Sabha Mandap is a part of the main temple, slightly detached from Swarga Mandap. It has three entrances, the main entrance being from the Swarg Mandap, and the other two being on the southern and northern sides respectively. This square shape mandap is supported by 60 intricated carved pillars. Stories from Ramayana and Panchtantra have been depicted along with Vishnu Avatar, Kali, Maruti, Buddha, etc. The main door is beautiful with a Saraswati Murti on top and Purna Kalash on both sides. Lower panels on both sides of the door have well ornamented 10 Dwarpalas, 5 on each side.

The space between Sabha Mandap and the main sanctum sanctorum is Antarala Kaksha. On both sides of the entrance door of Antarala have two dwarapalas of about 8 ft in height. From here, one can enter the main sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The sanctum is conical and houses Kopeshwar shivling and Vishnu linga known as Dhopeshwar. There is no Nandi who has a separate mandir. The exterior has stunning carvings of deities and secular figures. Elephant statues sustain the weight of the temple at the base.

Further, there is a beautiful Jain temple near Kopeshwar Temple. Constructed during the same time as the Kopeshwar Temple, it is much smaller in size and represents the Hemadpanti style of architecture. The temple house 4 ft tall idol of Bhagavan Adinath. One can also see an exquisite sculpture of a young woman holding a cobra in her left hand and a mongoose in the right hand.

Every year, there is a fair organized at the Kopeshwar Temple and is attended by a huge number of devotees from nearby places. Besides, the temple draws a large number of devotees on Mondays and Mahashivratri.

Timings: 5.30 AM to 8 PM

Entry: Free