Thread by @History_Mystery

#KopeshwarTemple is at Khidrapur, Kolhapur, Maharashtra. It was built in the 12th century by Shilahara king Gandaraditya between 1109 and 1178 CE. It is dedicated to God Shiva.

1/1

#HistoryEncyclopedia #TemplesOfIndia #History

Entire #KopeshwarTemple is divided into 4 parts Swargamandapa, Sabhamandapa, Antaral kaksha & Garbha gruha. 📷1: The Swargamandapa has a vestibule with an open top. 

📷2: Geometric Patterns on Swarga Mandap Pillars

📷3: God Vishnu with Lakshmi on a pillar in Swarga Mandap.

2/2

📷1: One of the 6 beautifully sculpted Window for proper ventilation in interior of #KopeshwarTemple

📷Divine Sculpture of God Vishnu holding Padma, Shankha, Chakra & Gada (mace) flanked by Goddess Bhudevi & Sridevi.

3/3

#HistoryEncyclopedia #TemplesOfIndia #History

The stone used in #KopeshwarTemple is hard basalt rock, that is found in the Sahyadri range of mountains, the closest point being at 60 km away. So, the stone must have been ported here via Panch Ganga and Krishna rivers. 

4/4

#HistoryEncyclopedia #TemplesOfIndia #History

📷1: Finely carved Chandrashila with conch shells & crocodiles carvings to enter the Garbhgriha. On top of Doorjamb is Lakshmi. There is a depiction of life around the door and the 📷2: auspicious figures like Purna Kumbha, Makar & Mayur or Pots, Crocodile and Peacocks.

5/5

Walls of #KopeshwarTemple are as unique as the temple. At the eye level is a panel with 92 elephants that goes around the temple, giving you a feeling that these elephants are carrying the temple on their backs. Unfortunately, most have their trunks broken by the invaders.

6/6

Garbha Griha has 2 Lingas – one representing the Shiva as Kopeshwar. The second one represents Vishnu as Dhopeshwar, as pacifier of Shiva. Since this temple celebrates that moment, both Shiva and Vishnu are present in Linga form here.

7/7

#KopeshwarTemple #HistoryEncyclopedia