The ancient #KopeshwarTemple at Khidrapur in #KolhapurDistrict is dedicated to #LordShiva and sits on the bank of #RiverKrishna. There are reasons to believe that even though the construction of #Kopeshwar temple started sometime in 7th century AD, the work remained incomplete largely due to constant skirmishes between warring rulers of the region. The renovation was completed only in the 12th Century by the Shilahara and the Yadava Kings. This temple is in four parts, all interconnected through vestibules. The first structure you enter through is the Swarga Mandap (Heavenly Hall). The architecture of Swarga mandap is unique. This mandap is round in shape and is constructed with the support of 48 well carved rounded stone pillars which are placed in three circles. Each of the 48 pillars has been carved in different shapes -round, square, hexagon and octagon. Another unique feature of Swarga Mandap is that a part of the circular ceiling in the middle (with a radius of 13 feet) is open to the sky. The sanctum is conical. The exterior has stunning carvings of deities and secular figures. Elephant statues sustain the weight of the temple at the base. This is a unique temple inasmuch as visitors first get a glimpse of #LordVishnu as #Dhopeshwar in ling form instead of the #Shivaling which is usually the case in temples consecrated to Lord Shiva. The Shivaling is facing north and both lings are found in the same sanctum sanctorum. Another notable feature of this temple is that there is no Nandi at the entrance- which is the norm for all Shiva temples. https://www.instagram.com/p/B8iINn_BYOk/?igshid=ya8aw14pbbpe