At a separation of 19 km from Nandyal, 93 km from Kurnool, 135 km from Kadapa, 306 km from Hyderabad, 316 km from Vijayawada and 360 km from Bangalore, Mahanandi is a heavenly Shivaite journey focus situated in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh.
Situated toward the east of Nallamala Hills, Mahanandi is a beautiful town encompassed by thick woodland. Inside 15 km span from Mahanandi, there are nine Nandis (Bulls) known as Nava Nandis. Mahanandi is acclaimed for the Mahanandiswara Temple and chief places of worship of Nava Nandis. The nine Nandi sanctuaries are Mahanandi, Shivanandi, Vinayakanandi, Somanandi, Prathamanandi, Garudanandi, Suryanandi, Krishnanandi, and Nagaland.
The seventh-century Mahanandiswara Temple devoted to Lord Shiva is an extremely acclaimed and hallowed spot. In spite of the fact that the underlying structure was worked by Chalukyas in the seventh century, a few increments were done in tenth and fifteenth hundreds of years. The gopuram over the focal sanctum is worked in Badami Chalukyan style of engineering and different structures in the sanctuary are in Vijayanagara style. As per the legend, the neighborhood rulers known as Nandas administered here in the tenth century AD and they assembled various sanctuaries and loved their hereditary divinity the Nandi, consequently the name Mahanandi.
The striking element here is the completely clear water in Pushkarini which streams consistently. The water is so clear and unadulterated that even a needle at the base can be seen unmistakably. There are almost three pools in Mahanandi Temple. Two pools lie outside the sanctuary. The third pool which exists in sanctuary premises has continuous water stream which starts from the storm cellar of Garbha Gruha where principle divinity (Shiva Ling) is put. This 60 square feet tank has a Mandapam at its center and the gulf and outlets of the tank are worked in such a way, the water level consistently stays at five feet high. Along these lines, fans can have a plunge in this sacred tank. Here fans are permitted to offer supplications to Shiva Ling and contact the water underneath the Lingam in the primary Sanctum Sanctorum. There is an immense Nandi statue outside the Mahanandiswara Temple.
Different spots of intrigue incorporate Kodanda Ramalayam and the Kameswari Devi Temple. Maha Shivaratri in February/March is the principle celebration celebrated here. Close to the sanctuary numerous cabins and Hotels are accessible alongside AP Tourism Haritha Hotel.
