The stunning Kopeshwar temple at Khidrapur, Kolhapur

Located on the banks of Krishna river and right on the border of Maharashtra and Karnataka, Kopeshwar temple at Khidrapur is a beautiful reminder of what our ancestors left back for us as cultural, religious and architectural heritage. I made a completely unplanned visit to the temple and came back impressed and inspired.

Here's my (funny, at times) story to the Kopeshwar temple at Khidrapur.

kopeshwar temple khidrapur kolhapur
Kopeshwar Temple at Khidrapur

kopeshwar temple khidrapur kolhapur
Entrance to Kopeshwar Temple

kopeshwar temple khidrapur kolhapur
Kopeshwar temple from the back side


From mango ice-cream to Temple plans with a don

It was an unusually warm day in Kolhapur and I didn't particularly want to do anything. Trust me it's not uncommon for me to do nothing even in a new city, but walk around aimlessly, sometimes take pictures, sometimes just give my camera some rest. Today my cameras was happy and relaxing back in my room, while I was back to the ice cream shop I had discovered the previous night on a busy intersection in old Kolhapur. It looked like the kind of place locals would love to visit, and their mango Mastani was decent, if not great. But somehow their other mango preparation, freshly cut mangoes with fresh cream, looked really tempting last night when I saw an elderly Muslim couple was relishing it. It was a bit funny, because the woman was wearing a burkha and struggling a bit every time she wanted to take a bite.

So I ordered what they loved so much, and ate it. It was a relief to enjoy something so cold and refreshing when it was so hot outside. As I came out the owner recognised me from last night and asked a little about me. He saw me Instagram page and decided I was a famous photographer, even though I vehemently denied. One thing led to another and I ended up asking if he knew a taxi guy who would take me to Khidrapur (about 2+ hours away) that afternoon and bring me back by night.

Within minutes spoke to the guy sitting opposite us, made a few calls, and the whole place started buzzing with activity. I was a bit surprised and alarmed that everyone was seen keen to get me to the ruins of this old temple. The guy sitting opposite is made a few calls as well, took my number and said he will call back. Long story short, I got a call in the next fifteen minutes and a taxi was arranged for me. This is when the shopkeeper told me that the guy organising it was a well-known local goon, but more like Robin Hood - he loots the the rich, does things for the poor, makes lots of money for himself, is well connected to the politicians and sometimes even organises murders locally. I was even more alarmed by his interest in my temple visit, but it was too late to cancel it. Maybe that could anger him and I could be history.

Sex talks with the driver en-route

I walked to my hotel, picked my camera and walked to the Bhawani Mandap and got into the waiting car. And this is how my momentous journey to Kopeshwar temple in Khidrapur started.

My journey was also rather eventful. My driver and I had the same phone (iPhone 7 Plus), and when he realised it, he wanted to know all about taking pictures and videos through it. My big contribution was to introduce him to the portrait mode on the camera. However, it wasn't just his phone where he was extravagant, and we spent the rest of the trip discussing women, relationships and sex. Yes sex, but since he was doing all the talking I was happy to learn about his sexual fetishes, conquests in bed, and some of the absolutely unbelievable demands women made from him, many of which left his exhausted for long after (no, I can't publish it all here).

For a while I felt he was simply making up his exploits, but maybe he was actually a hit with the women as he was both young and good looking. He wanted some tips to get over heartaches though (he was struggling to get over getting dumped by a girl in Pune), and I gave him some tips from my own life experiences.

So what is Kopeshwar Temple?

Well, Kopeshwar is a 12th century temple dedicated to lord Shiva. Located on the banks of Krishna river, the temple is not yet a very popular tourist destination, which is great as on lucky days you could be the only one here. In fact if you come in the morning, I am quite sure the place would be deserted.

kopeshwar temple khidrapur kolhapur
Kopeshwar temple at Khidrapur

kopeshwar temple khidrapur kolhapur
Exquisitely carved gate

kopeshwar temple khidrapur kolhapur
Kopeshwar temple at sunset

As was the customary those days, the temple is built with locally sourced stones and the walls are beautifully carved. Not just Gods and Goddesses, but the outer walls also show how life used to be back then. There are dancers, war scenes, couples, families and so on - looking at each carving in detail can easily take more than a day!

Another very interesting part is the skylight opening in the swarga-mandap after the entrance to the temple. This is quite unique and very well executed.

kopeshwar temple khidrapur kolhapur
Opening in swarga-mandap

The temple is a part of the village and it actually falls in the path of the villagers. This actually gives it a sense of a living temple; maybe that's how temples used to be back in the days - a part of daily life.


Carvings at Kopeshwar Temple

The carvings at the Kopeshwar temple are some of the finest that you will see in the temples in this region and you can easily spend hours gazing at them. From depicting daily life to the lives of the Gods, the shilpakar has done full justice to stone as well as the theme of the temple. Enjoy!

kopeshwar temple khidrapur kolhapur
A wall full of carvings

kopeshwar temple khidrapur kolhapur
Krishna with a flute

kopeshwar temple khidrapur kolhapur
Woman making music

kopeshwar temple khidrapur kolhapur
Vishnu

kopeshwar temple khidrapur kolhapur
Can someone identify her?

kopeshwar temple khidrapur kolhapur
A woman getting ready

Pro-tips:

Tip 1: Narsobawadi or Narsinhwadi is an extremely popular pilgrimage for the followers of Shri Dattaray. The temple is simple, but it's location next to the river Krishna is beautiful.

Unfortunately, there is too much construction around (for the festivals that happen here) and that has certainly spoiled the natural beauty of the place completely.

Tip 2: Just as you enter the village before you turn around towards Kopeshwar temple, look out for an old Jain temple with a tall Shikhar. Do stop by, the architecture is lovely.

jain temple khidrapur kolhapur
Jain Temple

jain temple khidrapur kolhapur
Jain Temple


Practical tips for a visit

Distance from Kolhapur: 60 km (about 1.5 hours)
Distance from Pune: 270 km (about 5 hours)
Entry fee: free
Parking: paid parking available, but you can also park for free in the village
Photography: allowed outside the temple in the compound only

Here's a map for reference:



Travel video of Kopeshwar Temple

While I was at the temple, I also made a short video of the temple complex. It's another experience to see it all in motion :)

Comments

  1. Sometimes we Indians tend to get so obsessed with foreign locations, that we fail to recognise the large number of beautiful places within our own country. Love your work in bringing​ out those hidden and unknown treasures out to the world.

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    1. That's true! I love traveling whether it's Kolhapur, or Kabul...all are fascinating places to me :)

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  2. Such exquisite carvings! I don't think I have seen a dome like that before, open to the sky. I am happy that our generation of writers/bloggers/photographers are bringing to light so many places in India that otherwise we might never know of (unless you are a local, of course).

    Also, I love your instagram!

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    1. Thanks Mohana! I am fascinated with history and architecture and so I am always drawn to places like these. I really hope that my stories will inspire the current generation to seek and appreciate our heritage as well...

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  3. Loved the prequel. Exciting read..
    It's a beautiful temple & what an extraordinary sky roof. Your off-beat explorations make the best reads (just some typos, check them)

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    1. Thank you so much Tara! Took care of the typos too :)

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  4. This kopeshwar temple located in khirapur is basically a temple of lord Siva and Vishnu, this temple is one of the oldest temple of India . The picture and description given out here is very beautiful.

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  5. What a gorgeous temple! I am a bit astounded at how much we have hidden in every part of our country. That opening in the swarga-mandap is breathtaking!

    Love the story of your journey too... it is the people that add so much to a place. This would make a very nice magazine story. Just saying... :)

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  6. What I enjoy most from reading your posts is that I can learn about places otherwise unknown to outsiders, like Kopeshwar Temple. However, if I ever come to this part of India I wonder how I can get to the temple as it's obviously out of the radar of most tourists. Thanks for this visual tour!

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  7. Truly amazing. Great place.
    Thanks a lot for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. super words. thanks & update
      http://www.windrosetours.com/golden-triangle-with-goa-tours.html

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  8. This is the precise weblog for anybody UN agency must search out out concerning this subject. You notice such a lot its nearly arduous to argue with you. You completely place a spanking new spin on a topic that is been written concerning for years. Nice stuff, merely nice!

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  9. Such a beautiful temple. Those grand architectural grandeur surely represent footprints of ancestors. You have captured wonderfully. Thanks

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  10. Great post you shared about Kolhapur, Its really amazing and temples are looking so amazing and Statues are best to see here. Great photos you captured of that beautiful temple.
    same day taj mahal tour by car

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  11. But you are a famous photographer! I must confess I had not heard of Kopeshwar before now. What a gem of a find? The 800 year old temples seem to be in a pretty good condition. Only last year Vasu had been to another Gem near Bangalore called Talakad and this looks more impressive. Happy New Year !

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  12. Really Nice Blog. Very helpful information. Living pictures, nice photography

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    Replies
    1. http://www.windrosetours.com/golden-triangle-with-goa-tours.html

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  13. An amazing places to visit in Mumbai. I have added this place in my checklist for the next tour planning. Thank You!

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  14. Incredible pictures and very good articles. Thanks

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  15. Wow... What an incredible place! I'm loving the sound of the mango ice cream too ��

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  16. nice details of temples
    https://windrosetours.blogspot.in/2018/01/blog-post_4.html

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  17. Really this simply looks stunning. Haven't came across this temple so far. This is a good piece of info and thanks for sharing this

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  18. Great destination you suggested for travelling in India and these are amazing place to visit in India.

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  19. Kopeshwar temple information very impressive. love to visit there. keep updates new in about city or near by places for visit

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  20. Amazing pictures and such a wonderful read! The place really looks magical. Your journey was the most exciting though!

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  21. Hi
    How do I reach there from Pune.
    Which is the nearest place to stay there, so I can easily reach the temple in the morning?

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  22. Thanks for sharing this beautiful temple photographs with us. I really glad to read this tour experience guide. Great experience Keeps sharing.

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  23. Beautiful Hindu religious Temple to see hindu God Statue , Thanks for sharing these all beautiful photographs of kopeshwar temple. Good post keeps sharing.

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  24. Such a beautiful Temple and you shared good information about that temple. Its really enjoyable and stunning photos you shared. Thanks for sharing this attractive pictures and this post.

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  25. Useful blog information!
    Thank you very much for sharing this blog post.

    ReplyDelete

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