Sherry6361 at 14:48, 15 August 2025

2025-08-15T14:48:05Z

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{{Short description|Village in Andhra Pradesh, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Mahanandi Temple
| native_name = Mahanandi
| image =Mahanandi Temple View.jpg
| alt =View of the entire temple complex.
| caption =
| map_type = India Andhra Pradesh
| map_caption =Location in Andhra Pradesh
| coordinates = {{coord|15|28|14|N|78|37|34|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| country =India
| state = [[Andhra Pradesh]]
| district = [[Nandyal district]]
| location = [[Nandyal]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = [[Shiva]]
| festivals= [[Maha Shivaratiri]], [[Kartik Purnima]]
| architecture = [[Dravidian architecture]]
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| date_built =
| creator =
| website =
}}
[[File:Navanandiroutemap.jpg|thumb|250px|Navanandi Schematic route map from Nandyal]]
'''Mahanandi''' is a village located east of the [[Nallamala Hills]] of [[Nandyal district|Nandyal District]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], India. It is surrounded by forests. Within 15 km of Mahanandi, there are nine [[Nandi (bull)|Nandi shrines]] known as ''Nava nandulu''. Mahanandi is one of the Nava Nandis. The Mahanandiswara Swamy Temple, an important [[shrine]], is located here. This ancient temple dates back over 1,500 years. The inscriptions of 10th century tablets speak of the temple being repaired and rebuilt several times.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.trawell.in/andhra/mahanandi|title = Mahanandi Tourism | Tourist Places to Visit & Travel Guide to Mahanandi}}</ref>

These nine temples are Mahanandi, Sivanandi, Vinayakanandi, Somanandi, Prathamanandi, Garudanandi, Suryanandi, Krishnanandi (also called Vishnunandi) and Naganandi.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.holidayiq.com/Mahanandi-Kurnool-Sightseeing-666-15121.html |title=Mahanandi {{!}} Mahanandi Photos {{!}} Kurnool Tourist Places |website=holidayiq.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114022801/http://www.holidayiq.com/Mahanandi-Kurnool-Sightseeing-666-15121.html |archive-date=2012-11-14}}</ref>

A festival is held here annually during February and March to celebrate [[Maha Shivaratri]], the Great Night of [[Shiva]].

Mahanandi is about 21 km from [[Nandyal]]. The nearest international airport is at [[Hyderabad]], which is about 215 km  and the nearest railway station is at Nandyal.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aptdc.gov.in/kurnool.html |title=::.Ap Tourism.:: |access-date=15 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161210055227/http://aptdc.gov.in/kurnool.html |archive-date=10 December 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> There are two routes to reach Mahanandi from Nandyal town. One route via Thimmapuram is the shortest, around 17 km from bus stand. The other route via giddalur road is the longer option, around 24 km from Nandyal.

==Temple Architecture==
The temple is famous for its fresh water pools, called ''[[Kalyani (well)|Kalyani]]'' or ''Pushkarni''. The architecture of the temple shows the strong presence of the [[Chalukya dynasty|Chalukya Kings]] in this region.<ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c08qf7d2TZQC&dq=panyam+temples&pg=PA70 | title=Temples of South India| isbn=9788121210225| last1=Subba Reddy| first1=V. V.| year=2009| publisher=Gyan Publishing House}}</ref> The pools of temple shows the skill of the [[Vishwakarma (caste)|Vishwakarmas]].

The initial structure was built by Badami Chalukyas in 7th century, while several additions were done in the 10th and 15th centuries. The gopuram over central sanctum was built in Badami Chalukyan style of architecture and other structures in the temple are in Vijayanagara style. According to the legend, the local kings known as Nandas ruled here in 10th century CE and built a number of temples and worshiped their ancestral deity the [[Nandi (mythology)|Nandi]], hence the name Mahanandi.<ref name=":0" />

The main temple is surrounded by three pools: two small pools at the entrance and one big pool inside the temple itself. This holy tank is {{convert|60|sqft|m2}} with an outdoor pavilion called a [[mandapa]] in the centre. The inlets and outlets of the tank are arranged so that the depth of the water is constantly kept at five feet, thus enabling pilgrims to bathe in the holy waters. Bathing in the inside big pool is prohibited after 5PM every day.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MAHANANDI |url=https://tirupaticentralexcise.gov.in/docs/mahanandi.pdf |access-date=8 April 2025 |website=www.tirupaticentralexcise.gov.in }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

A peculiarity of the water source is that it has a constant flow irrespective of the change of seasons. The water source originates at the Garbhagruha (inner shrine) just below [[Swayambhu]] Linga. One can touch the water near the Shiva [[Linga]] (symbol of Shiva). The devotees can offer prayers and touch the Shiva Linga. This is unusual because traditionally at temples, the main deity is kept away from the touch of the devotees.

The water is famous for its crystalline and healing qualities and is also tepid. The outgoing water irrigates {{convert|2000|acre|km2}} of fertile land surrounding the village. The surrounding areas are under production with rice fields, fruit, vegetable and flower gardens. The temple is well known for the Koneru. The water during the winter season will be very hot and vice versa during the summer. During the early mornings, the water is tepid and it gets cooled gradually with the rise in temperature.

==Photos==
<gallery>
Mahanandi Temple Gopuram 01.jpg|Mahanandi Temple Gopuram
Mahanandi-pushkarini4.JPG|Mahanandi pushkarini view
Worldsbiggestnandi2.JPG|Worlds biggest Nandi statue at Mahanandi
Mahanandi Temple Gopuram 03.jpg|Mahanandi Temple Gopuram
Mahanandi Temple Gopuram 02.jpg|Mahanandi Temple Gopuram view
Mahanandi-pushkarini1.JPG|Pushkarini at Mahanandi
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Villages in Nandyal district]]

Mahanandi - Revision history

Sherry6361 at 14:48, 15 August 2025