Mahanandi Voyage Tips and guide

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Mahanandi (Telugu: మహానంది meaning Majestic Cow) is a picturesque village surrounded by thick forests east of the Nallamala Hills near Nandyal, Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Within 15 km of Mahanandi, there are nine Nandi shrines known as Nava Nandis. 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. These nine temples are Mahanandi, Shivanandi, Vinayakanandi, Somanandi, Prathamanandi, Garudanandi, Suryanandi, Krishnanandi (also called Vishnunandi) and Naganandi. A festival is held here annually during February and March to celebrate Maha Shivaratri, the Great Night of Shiva.

Mahanandi is about 14 km (8.7 mi) from Nandyal Bus Stop. The nearest airport is at Hyderabad, which is about 215 km from Kurnool, and the nearest railway station is at Nandyal.

• 15.471578.627451 Temple pools. The temple is famous for its fresh water pools, called Kalyani or Pushkarni. The architecture of the pools and temple shows the skill of the Vishwakarma Brahmins. 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 60 square feet (5.6 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. 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 ever tepid. The outgoing water irrigates 2,000 acres (8.1 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 konneru. The water during the winter season will be very hot and vice versa during the summer.

• Embark on a spiritual journey to the Nava Nandi Temples, a collection of nine ancient shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and his mount, Nandi. These temples are scattered within a 15 km radius around Mahanandi Village, near Nandyal. Notably, devotees have the unique opportunity to perform abhishekam (ritualistic bathing) directly on the Shiva Lingams, a rare privilege in South India.
• To efficiently visit all nine temples, it's advisable to start early, around 7AM. Hiring a local auto-rickshaw or cab for a lump sum fare can provide a convenient and comprehensive tour. Ensure to allocate extra time for the Mahanandiswara Swamy Temple, the most prominent among the nine.

There are several government and private lodges near the temple premises, offering decent accommodation and food for visitors. These lodges provide a comfortable stay for pilgrims and tourists alike.

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