History, Importance, Timings, Festivals, Architecture, Social & Religious Activities, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Kopeshwar Temple, Khidrapur, Kolhapur, India
Maharashtra’s architectural superiority is majorly witnessed into the construction of temples and religious sites. The Kopeshwar Temple in, Kolhapur is a great example for the same. It is a twelfth century masterpiece that has great spiritual value attached to the place. The twelfth century religious marvel was built by Shilahara King Gandaraditya. This ancient and artistic temple lies on the bank of River Krishna. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the temple reveres Kopeshwar, the angry manifestation of the Supreme God, capable to destroy the entire cosmos. It was built by the Jain kings, who often built renovated various Hindu temples depicting their respect and love for all religions.
The legend of the temple is believed to follow the events of the immolation of Goddess Sati. Prajapati Daksha did not like his youngest daughter Sati marrying Lord Shiva and conducted a Yagna to which he did not invite the couple. Sati visited her father's house to confront her father. Dakhsa insulted her and her Lord Shiva in front of the guests present at the Yagna. Unable to bear further insults, Goddess Sati jumped into the fire of the Yagna and immolated herself. When Lord Shiva came to know about it he was infuriated and agonised by the trauma, he went on to do his destructive Tandava. He punished Daksha by separating his head from the chest. Lord Vishnu then tied pacifying Lord Shiva, whereupon he restored Daksha's head with a goat's head. Legends further said that the furious Lord Shiva was brought to this place by Lord Vishnu to calm him down. Hence the temple got its unusual name as Kopeshwar ( the wrathful god).
The present temple was built by Shilahara Jain kings, who were feudatories of Rashtrakutas. Apart from the legend, the name might have originated from the ancient name of the town, which was "Koppam".
There are about a dozen inscriptions on the inside and outside of this temple, out of which only a couple of inscriptions are in readable condition. These inscriptions mention the names of a few kings and their officers, who might have donated the land or resources for its construction. Most of them are in the Kannada language script. There is only Devanagari inscription in Sanskrit, inscribed by Singhan-II. It is located on the outer wall which is to the South entrance of the temple.
Architecture of Kopeshwar Temple, Kolhapur
The entire temple is divided into four structures - Swargamandapa, Sabhamandapa,Antaral kaksha and Garbha gruha. The Swargamandapa has an entrance with an open top. The sanctum is conical while the exterior has stunning carvings of deities and secular figures. Elephant statues sustain the weight of the temple at the base while in the interior, Vishnu (Dhopeshwar) and Shivaling facing north can be seen. The ceiling is semi-circular with outstanding engravings. The outside of it is completely carved with the enitre 'Shivaleelamrit'.
This is the only Shiva temple in India with an idol of Vishnu, making it an important pilgrimage sites for both Vaishnavism and Shaivism sect of the Hindu tradition. Nandi, a feature that exists in almost all Lord Shiva temples, has a separate Mandir in the complex as he was not accompanied to that place where Lord Shiva calmed down.
Unique and Excellent Swarga Mandap of Kopeshwar Temple
The Svarga Mandap of the temple complex stands out as the most attractive feature of the temple. Opened to the sky with a circular opening, one can get mesmerised and feel a transcending towards the heavens. This justifies the name Swarga Mandap. Beautifully carved idols of Lord Ganesh, Karthikeya, Lord Kubera, Lord Yamraj, Lord Indra are present on the peripheries of the mandap. Idols of Lord Brahma on the left hand side wall of the entrance of sabha mandap can be seen from the centre. Lord Shiva as Kopeshwar Shiv Ling is situated in the Garbh Gruha and towards their right hand side; the beautifully carved idol of Lord Vishnu is placed. This makes the glance of the ‘Tridev’ (Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh) possible to all the devotees.
Following the legend, the Mahashivratri festival is celebrated will full enthusiasm in the temple.
Timings
The temple is opened from 7 am in the morning till 6 pm in the evening.
How to Reach Kopeshwar Temple, Khidrapur, near Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India
Khidrapur is just 60 km away from the Kolhapur so you can easily reach here via public or private transport. Kolhapur is district place and major tourist destination of Maharashtra thus it is very well connected by road, rail and air network. Kolhapur is at distance of 375 km from Mumbai, 230 km from Pune, 20 km from Kagal, 220 km from Goa, 132 km from Ratnagiri, 153 km from Ganpatipule, 50 km from Sangli, 122 km from Satara. The nearest airport from Kolhapur is in Belgaum at a distance of 101kms, Lohegaon Airport at 250. Kolhapur has also small airport at just 9 km at Ujlaiwadi where major expansion is going on. Kolhapur has major railway junction from where you can easily get regular trains to all major cities of the India.
