Kopeshwar Temple Khidrapur

Kopeshwar Temple at Khidrapur village on the banks of the Krishna River, 60 km from Kolhapur at the Maharashtra-Karnataka border, is one of the finest examples of 12th-century Deccan temple architecture in India. Begun by the Badami Chalukyas in the 7th century and substantially developed by the Shilahara kings, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is celebrated for its extraordinary Swarga Mandap, a circular assembly hall with 80 intricately carved pillars. The exterior walls carry detailed sculptural panels and inscriptions recording battles between the Chalukyas and Cholas. Despite its distance, the temple is widely considered worth the journey.