Shree Kopineshwar Temple

Shree Kopineshwar Temple

Kopineshwar Mandir (also Kaupīnēśvar Mandir) (Marathi: कौपिनेश्वर मंदिर) is a temple dedicated to the Hindu  god Shiva and is considered the patron god of Thane. The Shivalinga inside the temple is considered one of the largest in Maharashtra, India.

History

The Mandir (temple) was constructed during the reign of the Shilahara dynasty. It was renovated and rebuilt in 1760, when Peshwa Chimaji Appa liberated Thane from Portuguese control.

The hall in front of the Garbha Griha was rebuilt in 1879 by raising funds and donations. It was later again renovated in 1996.

The Mandir was situated on the banks of the Masunda Lake(Talao Pali) but due to land reclamation project into the Lake, the Mandir is currently separated by the Shivaji Road which reaches to the Thane railway station.

The temple has a total of three entrances- one located opposite Masunda Lake and another two inside the Jambhli Naka market.

Mandir complex

The Shri Kaupineshwar Mandir is surrounded by the Jambhli Naka Market, Naupada, Thane. A tall statue of Nandi is situated at the Mandir (temple) complex entrance.

The principal deity mandir of Bhagawan Shiva has a 12 feet diameter by 4′-3″ feet tall Shiva Linga.

The Mandir complex also houses shrines dedicated to Shri Ganesh, Shri Brahma, Shri Ram, Shri Hanuman, Shri Shitala Devi (Thatakai), Shri Vitthal, Shri Mhasoba, Uttareshwar (Kashi Viswalingeswar), Shri Dattatreya, Garuda and Shri Kalika Mata.

Celebrations and Festivities

Annual Mahashivratri festival is celebrated at Shri Kaupineshwar Mandir with huge pomp. The Mandir is decorated with flowers and garlands, as well as temporary Mandaps are built to enable waiting lines for the devotees. Thousands of devotees pay visit to the Mandir on Mahashivratri.

The Mandir also organises Nav Varsha Swagat Yatra/ Shobha Yatra, coordinated by Shri Kaupineshwar Sanskrutik Nyas on occasion of Gudhi Padwa, the Hindu New Year.

In the Nav Varsha Swagat Yatra conducted in 2023, over 75 different organisations and groups had collectively collaborated on occasion of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (75 years of Bharat/India’s independence from the British rule).