Kopeshwar Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Kolhapur's Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj Airport (KLH) is the nearest airport listed for the temple. The airport is 9 km south east of Kolhapur city, at Ujalaiwadi.

• By train

  Sangli station is about 36 km (22 mi) away and is convenient to reach from Khidrapur.

• By road

  Kolhapur is about 60 km away and Sangli 36 km.

Why devotees come here

Kopeshwar Temple stands at Khidrapur in Kolhapur district, Maharashtra, on the bank of the Krishna river. It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, and it is the only Shiva temple in India with an idol of Vishnu. It lies east of Kolhapur city.

Kopeshwar is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, and it is the only Shiva temple in India with an idol of Vishnu. A legend says the name comes from Shiva's anger after Daksha's yagna. The name means angry Shiva.

The Shilahara king Gandaraditya built the temple in the 12th century, between 1109 and 1178 CE. It has four parts: the Swargamandapa, the Sabhamandapa, the Antaral kaksha and the Garbha gruha. The sanctum is conical, and the Swarga Mandap is held up by 48 hand-carved pillars.

The temple stands at Khidrapur on the bank of the Krishna river, east of Kolhapur city. The temple is in Kolhapur district, Maharashtra. A holy pond lies inside the temple complex. Mahashivratri is celebrated here with local traditions and rituals.

Festivals

• Mahashivratri dayMahashivratri

  Local traditions and rituals mark the festival at the temple.

Tips for your visit

• Visitors can take a dip in the holy pond in the temple complex.
• The Swarga Mandap hall is held up by 48 hand-carved pillars.

Questions people ask