Khidrapur: The Hampi of
Maharashtra
‘Khidrapur’
is one of the unbelievable examples of mind-blowing architecture in India. Most
people don’t know about this place even though they are from Maharashtra. This
temple is located in Kolhapur district and is placed on the border of
Maharashtra and Karnataka state. This temple is known as ‘Kopeshwar’ which
means Kop=angry & ishwar= god. This temple is of the Hindu god Shiva.
The
Kopeshwar Mahadev temple in Khidrapur village of Maharashtra which is near
Kolhpaur where the Krishna river flows by 3 sides is a beautiful temple known
for its unique architecture. The village was under the rule of Khidar Khan this
the village was named Khidrapur.
This
is the rare Shiv temple without Nandi.
The
reason it is called Kopeshwar mandir has many stories behind it, one story says
that when Sati was invited to the yagna organized by her father at a nearby
village known as Yediyur, as lord shiv was disliked by Sati's father Lord Shiva
suggested Sati visit the yagna along with Nandi and when Sati was humiliated there
she jumped into the yagna thus knowing about this Lord Shiva gets furious
(aggressive SANS: KOPA ) thus it is named as Kopeshwar.
There
is a Swarg manatap a unique history of architecture. It opens to the sky and is
supported by 48 carved pillars it has a rangasheela a platform to perform
yagnas or dance. Among these 48 pillars, 12 pillars rest on the ground whereas
the 16 are attached to a surface like a katta, the other 12 pillars resting on
the katta, and the remaining pillars supporting the 4 doors each having 2
pillars for a total of 8. Thus a total of 48 pillars support the swarg mantap.
This
rangasheela ( platform ) is surrounded by 12 pillars. The uniqueness of these
12 pillars is that the 8 deities of 8 directions reside on the top of the pillar
and 4 major deities. On the north side of the pillar, we see Lord Kubera on a
Horse and so on the deities with their vahanas.
The
pillars have a circular disk-like top, geometrical middle and floral designs,
and temple architecture designs at the bottom.
The
stone used here is Black Basalt Rock found in the Sahyadri hills of Karnataka
some believe that the rock was brought through River Panchaganga and through
the temple was craved.
This
temple is craved by an interlocking system with no usage of sand and cement.
Swarg
mantap stands independently from the sabha mantap to reach the sabha manatap we
need to cross the swarg mantap .
The
sabha manatap that is on the east side has the scultpure of Saraswati on top
and 10 dwarpalas , 5 on each side at the bottom, and a panel of mythical
animals are at the extreme bottom.
A
similar door is sculptured inside the temple leading to garbha griha or sanctum.
The
swarg manatap has 4 entrances in 4 directions and has elephant sculptures.
The
panel of 92 elephant cravings surrounds the temple wall as if these elephants
are supporting( carrying) the temple on their back.
these
elephants also carry many deities (Gods)on them.
Above
this elephant panel, there is another panel consisting of many gods and
goddesses such sculpture of Kaibharva , and Brahma.
Above
this Brahma sculpture, we can observe the craving of Lord Vishnu.
The
North door of the sabha manatap has 10 dwarplas having 7 women dwarpalas in
them which is unique and remarkable.
A
typical Chalukyan window can be seen having flower cravings at the intersection.
The
external features of the temple are very unique and astonishing.
The
sculptures of Lord Krishna can be observed between the elephant panel.
Sculpture
of Lord Vishnu riding an elephant followed by Lord Shiva and Parwati with Nandi
and on the other side Lord Brahma riding an elephant.
Thus
this sculptures of Lord Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva with Parwati can be
identified on the 3 walls of the temple.
Another
sculpture of Krishna as Bansidhar.
The
water from this temple falls in a unique star-shaped kund.
The
South door has Lord Ganesha on the top of the sabha mantap with the Chalukyan
window.
As
this was built during the Chalukyan period but during the battle the temple
construction was left unbuilt.
This
temple is the best example of an ancient Indian sculpture and if you are an
architecture lover then you should try to visit it once.
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