Mahanandi Temple Timings, History, Seva Details

Mahanandi Temple or Mahanandiswara Swamy Temple or Nava Nandudlu Temples is an ancient Shiva temple located in the east of Nallamala Hills near Nandyal, Kurnool District, Andhrapradesh. Shri Mahanandiswara Temple is one of the 9 temples in this area dedicated to Nandi. Nandi is Lord Shiva’s beloved Vahana. This temple was constructed over 1,500 years ago and is believed to be built by King Nandana during the Chalukyan period. A notable feature of this temple is the three Pushkarnis (Fresh Water Pools) and the world’s largest statue of Nandi.

Devotees can take holy dip at Mahanandi temple Pushkarni or Koneru in which there are Pancha Lingams of which the center one is called Varuna Lingam before entering the temple. The temple is also famous for the presence of ‘Kalyani’ which is the temple tank and the tank is preserved in such a manner that the depth of water does not exceed five feet.

Yearly Maha Shivaratri and other Lord Shiva festivals are celebrated in a great manner, a large number of devotees gather in seek of Lord shiva’s blessings. On Ugadi Ustavam, Srirama Navami, Vinayaka Chavithi, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Maha Sivarathri & Arudrochavam festival Mahanandi Temple is crowded with devotees.

In total, there are about 9 Nandi within a radius of 15 km from Mahanandi. All these 9 Nandi are famous, but Mahanandi is very famous among all. The Mahanandi temple is considered one of the Nava Nandulu temples, the nine shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Nava Nandulu temples are:

1. Mahanandi Temple
2. Shivanandi Temple
3. Vinayakanandi Temple
4. Somanandi Temple
5. Prathamanandi Temple
6. Garudanandi Temple
7. Suryanandi Temple
8. Krishnanandi or Vishnunandi Temple
9. Naganandi Temple

Mahanandiswara Temple Water Flow:

The water that fills the Pushkarnis comes from under the Shiva linga in the Sanctum. This is a sustainable flow, whatever the season. The water is crystal clear and is said to have healing properties. The Pushkarnis outlet waters irrigate 2,000 acres of surrounding farmland. Surprisingly, the water is warm in winter and cool in summer.

Mahanandiswara Temple Timings:

Morning: 4.30 am to 1.00 pm
Evening: 2.00 pm to 9.30 pm

Mahanandi Temple Pooja Timings:

Mahanandi Temple History:

According to Mahanandi Temple history ‘Sthalapurana’, the 7th-century temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. Mahanandiswara is one of the ancient temples of India and it dates back over 1,500 years and the inscriptions of the 10th-century tablets portray the fact that this temple has been restored and rebuilt quite a lot of times. The initial structure of the temple was erected by the Chalukyas in the 7th century and, later on, numerous additions were made to the temple in the 10th and 15th centuries. According to the legend of the temple, the kings of the area who were addressed as Nandas ruled in the 10th century AD and constructed a mammoth of temples and adored their ancestral deity, Nandi.

One of the most momentous features of the Mahanadi temple is the purified holy water of Pushkarani which flows throughout the year. The water is believed to be so gemstone clear that even a particle dropped in the water looks visible. A tower named Gopuram which is placed over the central sanctum was constructed in the ‘Badami Chalukyan Style’ of architecture and the rest of the temples were built in the ‘Vijayanagara Style.’

There are also several myths associated with this temple. As per the myth, Rasa Siddha is believed to have built a dome over the sanctum which is known as ‘Vimana’ and he also made the worker’s group sand mounds which he later altered to his wealth. A copper plate by Krishna Devaraya confirms that Mahanandi belongs to one of the most blessed places where Simha, the king’s brother donated precious gifts.

As per the legend, the milk which was used for Abhishekam which means ablution was used to be conveyed on a daily basis from a distance to the temple. A considerable amount of milk was brought from Gopavaram’s diary and the milk of a black-colored cow was sent to the king on an everyday basis, exclusively. The cow was approved to scuff in the forest but a couple of days later it was discovered that the cow had the propensity to provide less milk after the cow arrived from the forest. A few days later, a cowherd followed the cow and to his surprise, he found out that the cow scuffed around an embankment and allowed her milk to run freely on it.

From this edge emerged Lord Krishna and the cow then returned. The king came to know about the miraculous occurrence and decided to follow the cow the day later to seize a peek of Lord Krishna. As soon as the king proceeded and caught a glimpse of Lord Krishna, the cow became panicky and mistakenly stepped on the mound in fear. With this accident, the child disappeared but the impression of the cleft remained, with this, the king realized his mistake and prayed for forgiveness. The Lord then proclaimed that the embankment would dry up and would develop into a ‘Swayambhu Linga’ at Mahanandi, even today the signs of the cow’s cleft are visible on the top of the Linga.

Mahanandiswara Hotel / Room Booking:

There are many guesthouses and hotels near Mahanandi temple that offer quality accommodation and a variety of dishes for pilgrims. You can stay at Shambhu Priya Guest House and other hotels nearby.

How to Reach Mahanandi Temple:

By Air: 
The nearest airport is Orvakal Airport, Kurnool which is 40km from Nandyal. The other airport is Shamshabad Airport, Hyderabad which is nearly 250 km to Nandyal.
By Rail: 
The nearest railway station is Gajupally Railway Station which is 6 km from Mahanandi. The next nearest railway station is Nandyal Junction which is 19 km from the temple.
By Road:
APSRTC provided a number of buses from Nandyal to Mahanandi. There are buses from different places like Amaravathi, Hyderabad, Tirupati, and Srisailam, etc.

Mahanandi Temple Address:

Sri Mahanandeeswara Swamy Temple,
Mahanandi (V&M),
Kurnool District,
Andhra Pradesh – 518673.

Office:08514-234726 / 284620
Enquiry: 08514-234728