Shri Kopeshwar temple is a true hidden architectural jewel or pristine iconography found in temples across India. This temple was built during the Chalukya dynasty. The temple is not as famous as it should have been and many people don't even know about such an architectural marvel in Maharashtra and that too so close to Mahalakshmi temple in Kolhapur. The temple is at the border of Maharashtra and Karnataka on banks of Krishna river. The road to Kidrapur village is dotted by huge sugarcane fields on both the sides of road (village road so don't expect to drive at super pace) It is an Archeological Survey of India managed site and sadly its not managed properly. ASI should be charging entry fees and maintaining the temple complex more efficiently.
The visit to this temple had been in pipeline for quite a few months now and finally a random plan was drawn and I was adamant to complete this one. Option was either go by bike or car and cover this entire route without much hassle. Since the weather in Mumbai has been very kind, I quickly checked the forecast weather conditions in Kolhapur and decided it would be a bike ride :)
So a plan was drawn and stuff packed, below checks on bike done before the ride
1. First Aid kit
2. Tyre pressure
3. Puncture Kit
4. Allen Key set
5. Extra fuses
6. Bungee cord
7. Lights cleaned
8. Fuel filled up
9. Jacket
10. Boots
11. Elbow guard (sadly I don't have)
12. Knee guard
13. Gloves
14. Balaclava
15. Oil check
16. Phone charger & power bank
17. Downloaded offline map if required
And the trip begun early in the morning from my place in Panvel (Maharashtra) towards Shri Kopeshwar temple (Kidrapur). Most of the road is the Mumbai Bangalore NH4 highway which is in a very good condition except for small patch
1. near shirwal where flyover construction is happening
2. Kamset on old Mumbai Pune road flyover work is happening
3. Near shell fuel station Khed toll naka, flyover work is in progress
Kindly note once diversion from main Mumbai Bangalore NH4 highway is taken to head towards Kidrapur, the roads are typical village roads with lot of curves and speed bumps and people / cattle crossing. be aware of dogs crossings (if you a biker)
1. Take an exit near Uran Islampur (road is good till sangli)
2. Take an exit near Peth (this is some distance after Uran islampur exit) . This route is being upgraded, after ichalkaranji roads are not good
3. Take the Kolhapur Sangli exit and head towards ichalkaranji after which roads are not that good
4. Head to Kolhapur city and take the underpass exit towards pattan kodoli, huppari, dattawad. Roads are good except for last 6 km towards the temple (This road criss crosses Maharashtra and Karnataka borders)
Depending on what you want you can take the roads above. Please do keep checking with the locals as the roads are through big sugarcane fields and chances of you getting lost are high if you are on bike
Once at Khidrapur, parking is available near the school. Park your vehicles and there is no parking charges or entry charges to the temple
Shoes need to be removed at the main temple entrance and inside the temple complex the surface is uneven and there are lot of small stones. Noteworthy is the area within the temple complex, there are a lot of things ASI can do and maintain the temple's rich heritage. Presiding diety is Lord Shiva and the inner sanctum is worth a visit and spend sometime first to visit the temple and then click the pictures.
800Km covered
Ride time - Started at 6:15 IST due to ongoing curfew orders in Maharashtra state and reached Khidrapur at round 14:00 IST. So approx. 7:45:00 hours. On the way back from Kolhapur, I started at around 8:15 IST after the breakfast (starts at 7:30) and reached home at 13:30 IST, time spent travelling back was 5:20:00
Time spent at temple - You can easily spend an hour at the temple complex and try an understand the architecture and immerse yourself in the iconography of the temple
Travel cost
Road condition:
Mumbai Bangalore highway is in good condition except for one path before satara which is carved up to lay new tar
Bangalore Mumbai highway is not in good condition after Satara till Pune. You will need to be attentive as there are lot of potholes
Corona Checks: I had updated my arogya setu app and used it near the temple premise. There were some random police sampling of bikers and cars at toll naka's to check for bike papers or if there are lot of people stuffed into a car.
No checks at border of Maharashtra and Karanataka
Note: I don't watermark my pictures to make sure people can enjoy the picture. Please do not re-use the images from the blogs for any commercial gains without my consent
My humble request to ASI (Archeological Survey of India) to start maintaining such sites & improve on information of such relics on their website as well.
Ride safe and responsibly. Be Sane and not In-Sane
Enjoy the trip and do share your reviews
