April 18, 2011

Nandi

Nandi (Bull) - In Hindu Mythologyis Nandi is Lord Shiva's primary vehicle and is the principal follower of Shiva and also gate keeper of shiva and parvathi. Temples dedicated to shiva and parvathi will have stone images of seated Nandi facing the main shrine.

This giant 350+ year old monolithic statue of Nandi (Image below) is located on top of Chamundi Hill, Mysore. Its one of oldest iconic structure in Mysore and is 3rd largest Nandi statue in the world. This is an open shrine and Nandi is in active worship possibly ever since it was created
monolithic nandi statue on chamundi hills mysore
Originally this was a colossal boulder. One can find similar boulders around this site, there is a small cave temple under an overhanging boulder dedicated to Shiva right behind the this Nandi statue. The Nandi is portrayed in sitting position in an about to get up posture. You can see many sequences of bells and garlands carved over the Nandi. This statue is located almost at the 3/4th the way to the hilltop. If one decides to take the stairway, they have to climb 700 steps to reach Nandi and another 300 steps to reach the hill top. There is a beautiful temple on top of the hill dedicated to Goddess Chamundeshwari.

36 comments:

  1. What an amazing and beautiful statue! Fantastic capture as always, Sam! Hope you have a wonderful week!

    Sylvia

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  2. Wow - what an amazing sculpture! Nandi looks so kind.

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  3. ya, this one is huge Anne :)

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  4. @ ladyfi
    Thanks for stopping by

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  5. That is a very impressive statue. Have a great week Samson!

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  6. It is an amazing and beautiful statue. Thanks for sharing, have a great week!

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  7. It is a very large statue and very interesting!

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  8. Oh my gosh -- that's amazing is an amazing statute. I'm new to your blog -- came from the Randomizer on That's My world! How fun to find you that way. Like a treasure hunt and I found a winner.

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  9. Thanks Sallie, I'm glad you liked my blog :), hope to hear from you often

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  10. It is interesting that his pose is in an almost-about-to-get-up one.
    What is the purpose of the bell?

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  11. Oh my goodness, this is amazing Anthony, and what a sight it must be!!!

    Thank you for sharing the history of it here, and for sharing it at The Creative Exchange.

    Have a wonderful day!

    lisa.

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  12. What a magnificent statute! Nice shot!

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  13. @ VioletSky
    As far as i know bells just serves as decoration

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  14. That is VERY IMPRESSIVE! I'm not sure I could climb 1000 steps, though. Is there another way to get up?

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  15. My, that is a huge boulder...what a nice way to display a boulder...very artistic.

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  16. that is MASSIVE! interesting as well.

    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

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  17. I try to imagine the craftsmen and laborers working to transform a huge boulder into such a beautiful and intricately carved statue! It is very impressive work. You have captured it beautifully!

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  18. How amazing that that was carved from one boulder!

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  19. This is am amazing sculpture/statue. I have never seen anything white like it. It must have taken years to complete. The bells and garlands carved into it are stunning. An awesome work of art and a fine photograph on your part.

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  20. whoa! that is one big statue ;-) Thanks for sharing this to us!

    N is For Nipa Hut

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  21. THat is really interesting. What a beautifully carved and decorated boulder!

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  22. How interesting! I am amazed to hear that at one time it was a massive boulder, thanks so much for sharing!

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  23. An amazing statue. Who created it from the boulder? It must have taken great patience and skill.

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  24. This is indeed huge statue. Very impressive. By the way, I choose you as my 7th Featured Blogger check it out
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  25. Very interesting post! Wow! That is a huge Nandi indeed! :)

    Rcel with Our WORLD of Wintry Spring entry! See you! :)

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  26. Greetings from Southern California

    I am your newest follower.
    I invite you to visit my blog and become a follower.

    God Bless You :-)

    ~Ron

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  27. The size! The age! That this statue is in stone! (I'd thought metal.) That it is tended! That it is beatiful! (And characterful too!)

    Lucy

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  28. I am from Mysore. Great picture. Kind of made me miss it.

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  29. That is so COOL! To think it used to be just an ordinary boulder. Amazing! :)

    WW: Signs of Spring...Finally!

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  30. gorgeous sculpture and great photo. i'm familiar with garuda, vishnu's mount (as my husband's name is vishnu and we live in thailand... and garuda/krut is a very important symbol here) and i've seen the bull in pictures with shiva and some small sculptures... but i've never seen a sculpture this size. awesome!

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