Shri Koupineshwar Temple is one of the oldest and most sacred temples in Maharashtra. This Lord Shiva temple, is believed to have been originally built around the 8th Century A.D., by rulers from the Silahara Dynasty, who were known to be devotees of Lord Shiva. The Silahara Dynasty ruled the city of Thane or Shristhanak as it was known back then, between the 8th and the 12th Centuries.
This temple is thought to have been constructed along with various other Shiva Temples that were constructed during their reign. But over time the temple went into a ruinous state on account of various conflicts that the region faced, and the reconstruction and restoration thereof, was undertaken sometime around 1760, by Sarsubedar Ramaji Mahadeo Bivalkar, the chief of the Peshwa army, when the Marathas conquered Salsette. During the course of the reconstruction of the temple, the original Shiva Ling from the temple constructed in the 8th century, was restored to it's original glory, the re-construction was completed and the Temple was opened to the devotees of the city. The said ancient 'Shiva Ling', is about 4 feet 3 inches in height and admeasures about 12 feet in circumference, and is an absolutely mesmerising site for all the devotees who enter the Sanctum Sanctorum (Garbhagriha) of the temple.
Ever since it's restoration, the Temple has been kept open for all devotees of Lord Shiva and over time, it has achieved a position of great reverence in the hearts of all the people from the Hindu community residing in Thane. Till the year 1950 or thereabouts, the Temple almost touched the Masunda lake. But the construction of a new road, connecting the cross road known as Jambhli Naka, to Thane Railway Station, separated the temple from the banks of the lake.
