Kopeshwar Temple, Khidrapur



Kopeshwar Temple is at Khidrapur, Kolhapur district, Maharashtra. It is also accessible from Sangli. It was built by Silhara King Gandaraditya in the 12th century and then by Seuna Yadavas. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The mythology behind the temple states that Lord Shiva (Eeshwar) was brought to this temple to pacify his fury (Kop) after his first consort Sati self imolated herself after being insulted by her father.Hence the name Kopeshwar. Sati was later reborn as Parvati and became Shivas second consort.
The temple was built sometime in the seventh century AD during the reign of the Chalukya kings. However it was abandoned due to frequent invasions from neighbouring kings like the Rashtrakutas. It was later patronised by the Silhara kings Gandaraditya, Vijayaditya and Bhoja II (12-13th cen AD). Later its jeernoddhar (renovation and consecration) took place during the time of their succeeding dynasty the Seuna Yadavas of Devgiri (sometime during the reign of their king Singhana,13th cen AD).

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