Khidrapur is 17 km from Narsobwadi this temple is a hidden gem of an
architectural marvel blended with superb carvings and sculptures. It has
intricate stone carving of deities, elephant statues. One can note that none of
the sculptures of elephants has trunk as they were damaged by troupes of Mughal
king Aurangzeb and Deccan sultan. Fortunately most of the sculptures on the
upper part of outer walls are intact.
It is only Shiva temple where the devotees have to take darshan of lord Vishanu
as Dhopeshwar in ling form before Shivling . This is probably only Shivs temple
without Nandi.
There is a mythological story behind this temple. The king Daksha did not
like his youngest daughter Sati marrying Lord Shiva. When Daksha conducted a
Yogna and did not invited Shiva and Sati. Devi Sati came to her parental house
along with Nadi. The king Daksha insulted Devi Sati thronging some bad words
about Shiva in front of the guests. Unable to bear any further insults Sati
jumped in the Yogna and immolated herself. When Lord Shiva came to know about
it he become very furious (kop). He punished Daksha by severing his head. Later
Lord Vishnu specified Shiva upon which he restored Daksha’s head but with a
goat. The furious Shiva was brought to the place Khidrapur by Lord Visnu to
calm him down. Hence the temple got the name as Kopeswar (Furious Ishwar).This
explans as to why Lord Vishnu is in the temple in the form of a Ling along with
Shilvaling. Nadi is not in in this temple as Sati took a ride over the Nandi
while visiting her parental house.
The temple is divided into four parts, all parts are interconnected through
vestibules. The first part is Swarga Mandup (Heavenly hall) which is in the
round shape. This Mandup constructed with the support of 48 well carved rounded
stone pillars which are placed in 4 circles.
The 1st circle has 12 pillars, the 2nd circle has
16 and 3rd circle has 12 pillars. The last circle of 8 pillars are
placed on the 4 gates to Sarga mandup. Each of 48 pillars has been carved in
different shapes round, square, hexagon and octagon.
Another unique feature of Surga Mandup is that a part of circular ceiling in the middle
with a diameter of 13 feet is open to the sky. Exactly bellow the open ceiling there
is a round flat stone in a single piece with same diameter of 13 feet. On that stone the yagnas and havas were performed
and open ceiling facilitated the discharge of smoke emanating from these
rituals.
Following videos clips are taken by my daughter Pournima when she and her classmates were visited khidrapur.
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