....And The Journey Begins

I’m usually not much of a temple person. I don’t dislike them—I just don’t actively seek them out. But when you’re born into a Hindu family in India, there’s a 90% chance your family is going to be very religious. And that means temple visits are less of a “maybe” and more of a “get ready, we’re leaving in 10 minutes” kind of thing. 😅

That said, I don’t really mind the occasional temple visit. There’s a certain peacefulness about them, especially when the place is old and quiet, untouched by the chaos of modern tourism. It’s also a way for me to stay connected to my roots, to acknowledge the culture and traditions I was raised in, even if I don’t practice everything religiously. And let’s be real, it’s also one of the few occasions where everyone in the family is available and in one car. That itself makes it memorable, spiritual destination or not. Especially with my dad being away for work most of time.

So, during one such family weekend, I found myself on the way to Kopeshwar Temple in Khidrapur. It’s about a two-hour drive from home, and guess what? I was the designated driver. I’ve only recently learned to drive, so while I’m not a pro just yet, I’d say I’m about 80% decent on the road. I still hesitate a little with overtakes and narrow village turns, but I’ve got the basics locked in. What really boosts my confidence, though, is the fact that my dad actually compliments my driving. And let me tell you, getting praised by an Indian dad for your driving skills? That’s practically a badge of honor. 😎

So there I was, hands on the wheel, mom in the backseat, my brother in the passenger seat giving GPS instructions and my dad enjoying the road for once, happy not being the driver for once. The driving itself was serene—green fields on either side, random buffalo crossings, maneuvering gently around lazy curves of the road.

We departed in the morning after an early breakfast, and the weather was just perfect. Not too sunny, not too overcast. Just that lovely spot that makes everything just a bit more like a movie.

First Impressions

As we rode into Khidrapur and wound our way through the village’s narrow little roads, I started spotting glimpses of old stone buildings peeking through the trees. And then all of a sudden—bam, there it was. Kopeshwar Temple. Quiet, grand, and kind of mysterious, like it was hiding a thousand stories in those stone walls.

A Temple Without a Gopuram

One of the first things we noticed was how different the structure of the temple is. Unlike most South Indian or even other temples in Maharashtra, Kopeshwar doesn't feature a high gopuram (temple tower) at the entrance. It has a solid, near-fortress-like appearance, and once you enter, it sprawls like a time capsule.

The temple is in honor of Lord Shiva, and
there was an idol of Lord Vishnu as well in the inner sanctum. That was unexpected. Two strong gods coexisting peacefully in the same place? Quite symbolic if you know what I mean. One of the priests there informed us that the temple represents harmony, and it was an impactful message to learn.

The Architecture Had Me Staring

I pretty much visit temples to marvel at their architecture. Indian temples rarely disappoint. Always intricate yet simple, built centuries ago with such precision that it blows my mind every single time. The carvings, the symmetry, the way light filters in through stone latticework—it’s art, history, and devotion all wrapped into one. I may not always connect with the rituals, but the sheer craftsmanship? That, I’ll always show up for.

The level of detailing on this temple is unbelievable. There's literally every inch of the wall covered in narratives—characters from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, every day activity scenes, and rows and rows of tiny temple designs carved out of the walls themselves. You could literally spend an hour just moving around the outside.

Now, my dad’s a bit of a history buff. Every trip turns into a mini history lesson with him—whether he’s recalling facts from memory or turning us into his designated Google researchers. This time was no different. While we were in the car, somewhere between turns and temple talk, one of our quick Google dives led us to an interesting discovery: the temple dates back to the Chalukya period, around the 12th century. Knowing that made the visit feel even more special—like we weren’t just seeing an old structure, but standing in a place that had witnessed nearly a thousand years of history.

The symmetry, the sculptures, the sheer effort that went into it—it's amazing to imagine that people did all this without machines or modern instruments. Pure skill and dedication. Minimalism was never something that they imagined and I'll eternally be grateful for that.

Darshan Time

The temple was crowded, no surprises there. But since its a not-so-famous temple, the queue was not as long as we Indians are used to when it comes to Darshans.

We sat for a bit afterwards after performing darshan. The sanctum is dark and only illuminated by the lighting of a faint oil lamp, and the air is cool and old.

The Temple Lunch Hit Differently

By the time we finished darshan and explored the temple complex, the afternoon sun was in full swing—and so was our appetite. Luckily, the temple was offering lunch in the form of prasad that day. Now, temple food is usually simple—rice, dal and some sweet like sheera or kheer. But even though it’s nothing fancy, I absolutely love these meals. There’s something about them that just hits differently—somehow tastier than your everyday food, even though it’s made in huge quantities with basic ingredients and no real focus on perfect measurements.

It had been way too long since I had temple prasad, and even though the queue was quite long, I didn’t mind one bit. The people around me were patient, the air smelled of ghee and incense, and the volunteers served everything with warm smiles. We sat cross-legged on the floor, eating from those traditional plates made of dried leaves, and every bite just hit different. Hot rice, lightly spiced dal, and a spoonful of love in every serving—it was comforting in a way that no restaurant meal ever could be.

Fun With the Fam ❤️

Then came the non-spiritual portion, and naturally we had to do the family photo shoot. Temple excursions aren't complete without at least 20 cringeworthy photos where one person's eyes are shut or where someone's asking "Wait, did you take it or not?"

My dad usually makes a fuss about getting clicked, but this time, he quietly did his part—standing patiently while the three of us fussed over angles and poses.

Why I'd Go Back ????️

Kopeshwar Temple is not so much about religion or history—it's about that feeling. The serenity. The wonder. The connection. You don't even have to be strongly religious to enjoy what this space has in store. You simply have to arrive with an open heart and mind.

I’d go back in a heartbeat—maybe next time during monsoon to see how the temple looks surrounded by greenery and mist. But more than that, I’d go back to relive that simplicity: a day spent with my people, away from screens, surrounded by stories carved in stone and laughter echoing off ancient walls.