Exploring Mahanandi Temple: Timings, Poojas, And History

Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district is home to the Mahanandi Temple, also known as the Mahanandiswara Temple, which is located to the east of the Nallamala Hills in Nandyal. The Mahanandiswary Swamy Temple is situated at the foot of the hills in the Srisailam forest.

The Mahanandi Temple is also considered one of the ‘Nava Nandudlu Temples,’ or the ‘nine temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The Mahanandi temple is also regarded as a temple that embodies the Hindu way of life. Lord of Nandi, Lord Shiva’s bull vehicle, is also regarded as an important component of the agricultural world and is endowed with reverence, as the bull is associated with Lord Vishnu and his incarnations.

In addition, the Mahanandi Temple is a destination for tourists and pilgrims from all over the nation and the world. This is due to the fact that Mahanandi is a beautiful location surrounded by dense woodland and nourished by Pushkaranis’s constant mineral springs. The temple is also renowned for its ‘Kalyani’ tank, which is maintained so that the water depth never exceeds five feet.

Mahanandi Temple History (Sri Mahanandiswara Swamy Temple)

According to the ‘Sthalapurana’ history of the Mahanandi Temple, the 7th-century temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The inscriptions on tablets from the 10th century indicate that this temple has been restored and rebuilt numerous times. Mahanandiswara is one of India’s oldest temples, dating back more than 1,500 years. In the 10th and 15th centuries, various improvements were made to the temple, which was initially constructed by the Chalukyas in the seventh century. According to the temple’s tradition, the Nandas governed the region in the tenth century A.D., established a vast number of temples, and worshipped Nandi, their ancestral deity.

One of the most significant characteristics of the Mahananadi temple is the year-round flow of cleansed holy water from Pushkarani. It is believed that the water is so transparent that even a particle placed into it is seen. A tower dubbed Gopuram was created in the ‘Badami Chalukyan Style’ over the central sanctum, while the remaining temples were constructed in the ‘Vijayanagara Style.’

Several myths are also related to this shrine. Rasa Siddha is said to have constructed a ‘Vimana’ dome over the sanctum, and he also constructed sand mounds for the labourers, which he later modified to increase his wealth. A copper plate by Krishna Devaraya attests that Mahanandi is one of the most favoured locations, where Simha, the king’s brother, donated valuable presents.

According to folklore, the milk required for Abhishekam, which means purification, was transported daily from a distance to the temple. A great volume of milk was transported from the Gopavaram dairy, and only the daily milk of a black-coloured cow was sent to the monarch. The cow was permitted to graze in the forest, but it was noticed a few days later that the cow tended to produce less milk after returning from the forest. A few days later, a cowherd followed the cow and discovered, to his amazement, that she had walked around an embankment and allowed her milk to freely flow on it. Lord Krishna emerged from this edge, and the cow then returns. The monarch learned of the miraculous occurrence and resolved to follow the cow the next day in order to catch a glimpse of Lord Krishna. As soon as the monarch approached and got sight of Lord Krishna, the cow panicked and stumbled over the hill out of terror. The accident caused the child to vanish, but the imprint of the cleft remained. The king recognised his error and asked for forgiveness. The Lord then declared that the embankment would dry up and transform into a “Swayambhu Linga” in Mahanandi; even today, the signs of the cow’s cleft may be seen on the top of the Linga.

Origins and Mythology

Mahanandi Temple has long been a sacred location in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is well known for its religious and historical significance, particularly its mythological connections. As such, the Mahanandi Devasthanam, or temple complex, is a popular pilgrimage site for devotees of various faiths.

The temple’s origin story is closely linked to the Hindu god, Lord Shiva. According to mythology, three devotees of Shiva – Siva Sarma, Durga Sarma and Badari Sarma – visited the area on their way to visit the goddess Mahakali. Impressed by their devotion, Shiva blessed the spot and bestowed his presence upon it. It is believed that this event is at the core of the mythological origins of the Mahanandi Temple.

Despite its mythological roots, Mahanandi temple has had an extensive modern history as well. The complex was first developed in the 17th century by the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire. The temple was later restored and expanded on multiple occasions, reaching its current form in the 19th century.

Mahanandi temple is also closely associated with another legendary figure – the saint-poet, Sri Pedda Jeeyar Swamy. Sri Pedda Jeeyar Swamy was the first to install the Nandi idol at the temple in the 17th century CE. He is also said to have been instrumental in the restoration of the temple complex in the 19th century. To this day, Sri Pedda Jeeyar Swamy is revered as a symbol of devotion and piety in the region.

Significance of Mahanandi Temple

The lakes at the Mahanandi temple are renowned and draw visitors each year. As well as the pools, the building of the temple demonstrates the virtuosity of the ‘Vishwakarma Brahmins.’

In addition, the main temple is surrounded by three pools, one large pool within the temple and two smaller pools at the entrance. In the centre of the 60-square-foot holy tank is an outdoor exhibition space known as a “Mandapa.” The bay and outflow of the tank are designed such that the water depth is not excessive, allowing pilgrims to bathe in the holy pools. The water source is also unique in that it has a constant flow regardless of the seasons, and it begins at the Garbhagruha, which is situated beneath the Swayambhu Linga. Additionally, devotees can touch the water around the Shiva Linga.

The most notable characteristic of the temple is that it has been recognised as one of the nine Lord Shiva sanctuaries. These are the Nava Nandulu temples:

• As its name suggests, the Prathamanandi Temple, also known as Padma Nandi, is one of the first and was built on an earthen embankment adjacent to the Nandyal Railway station.
• The Naganandi Temple is located within the Anjaneya Temple, also known as the Hanuman Temple, to the west of Nandyal.
• The Vinayakananda Temple is situated to the left, just outside the exit. Precisely, it is located outside Gopuram, to the northwest of Mahanandi Temple.
• The Garudanandi Temple is located to the west of the Mahanandi Temple and is as unique as Garuda, the mythical bird credited with being Lord Vishnu’s vehicle.
• The Shivanandi Temple is located in the village of Kadamala. This temple is located approximately 13 kilometres from Nandyal, next to Kadamala Kaluva, a canal adjacent to Thimmavaram Village, and its architectural design resembles that of the Chalukyas.
• The Vishnunandi Temple, also known as Krishnanandi, is situated two miles before the Mahanandi Temple and is one of the most frequented temples.
• The Suryanandi Temple is located six miles to the west of Mahanandi and four miles to the east of Nandyal. From U. Bollavaram hamlet, the path to this temple curves to the right and is supported by two big metal pillars.
• The Somanandi Temple is located to the east of Nandyal, near Atmakur, where a new Jagathjanani temple is currently being constructed.

Lord Shiva, who is revered under the name Mahanandiswara Swamy in the form of a hallowed Shivalingam, is the presiding deity in this location. It is also claimed that the famous water spring sprung from beneath the self-manifested Shivalingam that resides in the sanctum sanctorum. The astounding feature of the temple is that the sanctified water coming from the sanctum irrigates 2,000 acres of rich land surrounding the community. The village is surrounded by rice fields, vegetables, fruits, and other plants.

Aside from this, the Mahanandiswara Swamy Temple, which faces west, is surrounded by a high wall and a temple tower called Gopuram, which dates to the late Vijayanagar period. The presence of Mukhamandapa, the principal entrance hall, along with two subsidiary shrines to the north and south. The Vimana, which is the dome over the sanctum, is arched and pyramid-shaped, with a Nagari-style Shikara on top.

The fresh Koneru, which refers to the water pools and is also known as Pushkarani, is a major draw for all visitors. The water is believed to originate from the five springs named Srisailadhara, Narasimhadhara, Daivodhinidhara, Nanditirtha, and Kailasatirtha.

A massive Nandi stands in front of the sanctuary that gives the Mahanandi Tirtha its name. In close proximity to the sanctum is a shrine dedicated to Kameshwari Devi, the consort of Mahanadheeshwara. The Srichkara in front of the god is reported to have been erected by Adisankaracharya, and the prevalent idea is that when one contemplates the Lord, he or she would receive a vision that corresponds to the individual’s status in front of the mother. The Mukhamantapa, which is the Goddess’s entrance hall, is a contemporary structure, and the temple of Kameswari Devi was rebuilt in 1939. In the rear of the main temple, there are three smaller shrines, each with a Shivalinga.

On the foundation of Mahanandiswara Temple is the 1953 addition of an arched marble shrine of ‘Lord Kodanda Rama,’ the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu. Images of Sri Rama, Sita, and Lashkmana are intricately sculpted, making it difficult for devotees to get away from them.

The friendly water of ‘Rudrakundam’ irrigates 2,000 acres of fertile land surrounding the village, and the lands surrounding Mahanandiswara Temple are peaceful with fruit, rice fields, flower gardens, vegetables, and forests.

Mahanandi Temple Timings

Observed festivals at Mahanandi Temple

The Maha Sivrathri festival is one of the most prominent occasions where devotees congregate to honour and adore Lord Shiva. The festival is observed for seven days, beginning on ‘Maha Bhula Chaturdasi,’ the fourteenth day following the full moon in February or March. Every day, approximately 20,000 worshippers from various areas of the country, namely Andhra Pradesh, Mysore, and Maharashtra, visit the temple. Here, it is customary for pilgrims to worship Mallikarjunaswamy before visiting the other Nandi temples in a specific order.

In addition to Maha Sivarathri, the following festivals are also celebrated:

• Ugadi is observed in March/April.
• In the months of December/January, Vaikunta Ekadasi is celebrated.
• In the months of November/December, Kartika Poornima is observed.
• October is the month of Vijayadashami celebrations.

How to reach Sri Mahanandiswara Swamy temple

• By Air: The closest airport to the Mahanandiswara Temple is located in Hyderabad, approximately 215 kilometres from Kurnool.
• By Train: Nandyal railway station is the closest railway station to Mahanandiswara Temple when travelling by train.
• By Road: APSRTC provides bus service to important cities such as Hyderabad, Tirupathi, Kurnool, and Vijayawada, among others. The buses also continue to Bellary, Bengaluru, and Chennai in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

The alternative route to the temple is Bangalore-Nandyal: Bangalore to Gotty to Yaganti to Nandyal to the Mahanandiswara Temple.

Temples close by

A number of significant temples are located close to the Mahanandi Temple, and visitors from all across the country also visit these temples.

The Kameswari Temple is devoted to the goddess Parvati and is located less than one kilometre south of the Mahanandiswara Temple and the Mahanandi Bus Station. King Nandana and his forefathers were said to have performed Pujas and ceremonies at this temple, which was completed in 1939.

The Ahobilam Temple is 70 kilometres from Nandyal and 150 kilometres from Kurnool. The Ahobilam temple is regarded as one of the holy locations in Andhra Pradesh’s Allagadda mandal. It has two temple houses, lower Ahobilam and higher Ahobilam, and according to the temple’s tradition, Lord Narasimha blessed Prahlada and killed Hiranyakashipu here.

Among the various temples in Andhra, the Sri Uma Maheswara Temple, also known as the Yaganti Temple or Yagantiswamy Temple, is one of the most exquisite. It is located in Yaganti, which is in the district of Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. The Uma Maheswara Temple is carved from a single stone and has statues of Shiva and Parvathi, also known as Ardhanareeswara. This temple is probably certainly the sole location where Lord Shiva is shown as an idol rather than a Shiva Linga.

Alampur Sri Jogulamba Devi Temple is Located in the Telangana district of Mahbubnagar, the Alampur Temple is around 90 kilometres from Mahbubnagar, 27 kilometres from Kurnool, and 200 kilometres from Hyderabad. This temple is also designated as an architectural and archaeological treasure on the “List of Monuments” maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India and the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.

Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple at Chakirala is Located in Chakirala, Andhra Pradesh, Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple is one of the South’s most well-known temples. The most essential part of this temple is that devotees attend it to seek money, salvation, disorder treatment, and wisdom.

The Chowdeshwari Devi Temple is the primary reason for the village’s popularity. According to mythology, Chowdeshwari Devi travelled through an underground passage from Varanasi to Nandavaram in a single day. In addition, the temple has been erected so that the current deity resides just over the location of the original deity.

Sri Kotilingala Temple is located in Kammasandra village in the district of Kolar, Kotilingala Temple, also known as the Lord Kotilingeshwara Temple, is approximately 6 kilometres from Kolar Gold Fields, also known as KGF. In addition to the 108-foot-tall, Asia’s largest Linga, this temple’s grounds also contain eleven small temples dedicated to various gods. Every year, tourists and pilgrims visit these temples.