Kopeshwar Temple, Khidrapur
Shiva (as Kopeshwar), with Vishnu (as Dhopeshwar) temple · Khidrapur, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India
Kopeshwar Temple stands at Khidrapur in Kolhapur district, Maharashtra, on the bank of the Krishna river, which loops around the site; the far bank is in Karnataka. Dedicated to Shiva as Kopeshwar, the 'angry lord', it is a 12th-century stone temple linked to the Shilahara dynasty and is a centrally protected monument cared for by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
The temple is best known for its densely carved exterior, its open-roofed pillared hall called the Swarga Mandapa, and an unusual sanctum where a Vishnu linga, called Dhopeshwar, sits alongside the Shiva linga. Because of the richness of its sculpture it is often called the 'Khajuraho of Maharashtra', a description used in the Bombay High Court's 2026 order on its conservation.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Kopeshwar Temple, Khidrapur
The temple takes its name from a legend told about it. According to tradition, after Sati gave up her life at her father Daksha's sacrifice, the enraged Shiva beheaded Daksha; Vishnu then brought Shiva to this place to calm him. Devotees explain the presence of Vishnu in the sanctum, and the name Kopeshwar, through this story. Incredible India and Wikipedia record this legend.
A feature widely noted by visitors is the absence of a Nandi bull facing the main shrine, unusual for a Shiva temple. The same legend explains it: Sati is said to have ridden Nandi to her father's house, so Nandi is not here. Incredible India mentions a separate shrine for Nandi within the complex.
Wikipedia also suggests a non-legendary origin for the name: the town's ancient name is recorded as 'Koppam', and the area saw a major battle in the 11th century between the Chalukya king Ahavamalla and the Cholas.
Heritage
History of Kopeshwar Temple, Khidrapur
The Bombay High Court's 2026 order, Incredible India and Wikipedia all date the temple to the 12th century and credit it to the Shilahara dynasty of Kolhapur, giving 1109–1178 CE as the period of construction. The court order and Wikipedia name the Shilahara king Gandaraditya as the builder, and state that the work was later continued by the Yadava kings of Devagiri. Live History India reports a view that construction began earlier, under the Chalukyas, and was completed in stages; this is not settled.
Wikipedia records about a dozen inscriptions on the temple, most in Kannada. One Sanskrit inscription in Devanagari on the outer wall near the southern entrance refers to the Yadava king Singhana II, and Wikipedia says an inscription of 1213 CE records the defeat and capture of the Shilahara king Bhoja II by Singhana II, which ended the Kolhapur Shilahara line. Many of the sculptures were later damaged, including the trunks of the elephants around the base, according to Live History India.
Today the temple is in the care of the ASI. In 2026 the Bombay High Court, hearing a public interest petition at its Kolhapur circuit bench, recorded cracks in the ceiling, water seepage on the south wall and tilting pillars in the Swarga Mandapa, one of which the ASI has propped with metal supports. LiveLaw reported that the court described Khidrapur as fully flood-prone and noted that the temple was submerged to about 12 feet in the 2019 floods. The court appointed a committee of advocates to inspect the site and asked the ASI to act on restoration.
Architecture and sacred features
Incredible India and Wikipedia describe four parts: the Swarga Mandapa (hall of heaven), the Sabha Mandapa (assembly hall), the Antarala (vestibule) and the Garbhagriha (sanctum). The Swarga Mandapa is a circular hall open to the sky at its centre, supported by 48 carved pillars, according to the High Court order; Live History India describes a large round black basalt stone set below the opening. Wikipedia notes images of deities such as Ganesha, Kartikeya, Kubera, Yama and Indra with their mounts around the hall.
The temple is built of black basalt. The court order describes a base carved with 92 elephants facing outwards, about 108 pillars in all, and exterior walls covered with sculptures from mythology. Live History India mentions scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Panchatantra, as well as dancers and figures of Ardhanarishvara.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
Kopeshwar is a protected ancient monument, so ASI rules apply: do not climb on, touch or mark the carvings, and follow the instructions of ASI staff on site. The site floods in heavy monsoons. Confirm current access, timings and any restrictions with the Archaeological Survey of India before visiting.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Archaeological Survey of India before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Kopeshwar Temple, Khidrapur
Mahashivratri
Incredible India lists Mahashivratri as the festival celebrated at the temple.
Location
How to Reach Kopeshwar Temple, Khidrapur
Wikipedia gives Khidrapur as about 36 km from Sangli and about 60 km from Kolhapur, with Sangli as the nearest major railway station.
Incredible India lists Kolhapur airport and Pune airport as the nearest airports, and Kolhapur (Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus) as a nearby railway station.
Location: Khidrapur, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India
Nearest airport: Kolhapur (per Incredible India)
Nearest railway station: Sangli (about 36 km, per Wikipedia)
More in Hindu temples in Maharashtra · Shiva (as Kopeshwar), with Vishnu (as Dhopeshwar) temples · Temples in Khidrapur · Temples in Shirol Taluka · Temples in Kolhapur District
Questions
Kopeshwar Temple, Khidrapur: Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called Kopeshwar Temple?
Kopeshwar means 'angry lord'. According to legend, Vishnu brought Shiva here to calm him after Sati's death at Daksha's sacrifice. Wikipedia also notes the town's old name, Koppam.
Why is there no Nandi in front of Kopeshwar Temple?
By tradition, Sati rode Nandi to her father's house, so the bull is absent from the front of the shrine. Incredible India mentions a separate Nandi shrine in the complex.
Who built Kopeshwar Temple?
It is credited to the Shilahara dynasty in the 12th century (1109–1178 CE), with work by King Gandaraditya and later by the Yadava kings of Devagiri.
What is the Swarga Mandapa?
It is the temple's circular front hall, open to the sky at the centre and supported by 48 carved pillars.
Is Kopeshwar Temple protected by the ASI?
Yes. It is a centrally protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India, and in 2026 the Bombay High Court directed attention to its conservation.
How do I reach Kopeshwar Temple?
Khidrapur is about 36 km from Sangli, the nearest major railway station, and about 60 km from Kolhapur.
Sources and attribution
- Bombay High Court, Kolhapur circuit bench (order via LiveLaw) — Prashant Vasantrao Salunke v. Union of India, PIL No. 20 of 2026 – order
- LiveLaw — Bombay High Court questions Kopeshwar temple restoration spending
- Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism, Government of India) — Kopeshwar Temple
- Live History India — Kopeshwar: Unearthing Maharashtra's Khajuraho
- Wikipedia — Kopeshwar Temple
- Wikipedia (citing ASI) — List of Monuments of National Importance in Mumbai circle (N-MH-M1)
Further reading: Kopeshwar Temple, Khidrapur on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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