Mahanandeswara Temple, Mahanandi

Legend has it that, ages back there was a maharishi named Silada who did penance for Lord Siva. On the appearance of Siva, he requested for a boon of granting two sons, who indeed should be the devotees of Siva. Thus Silada got two sons named Nandi and Parvatha. Both sons were great devotees of Siva and engaged themselves in chanting and worshipping Siva.

One fine day, a conflict rose between the two brothers about whose devotion is greater than the other. They both took deep penance and Siva appeared before them. Nandi immediately stood up and asked Siva to stay on him and also the opportunity to carry the Lord all the time. Siva granted him the same and thus Nandi was made his permanent vehicle.  In memory of this event, there appeared Lingas in Nine kshetras in the region and thus came to be known as Nava-Nandi kshetras, among which Mahanandi assumed greater significance.

The origin of the temple dates back to the period of 7^th century CE. The initial structures in the temple were built during the period of Badami Chalukyan rule between 7^th-10^th centuries CE. Based on the architectural features, the temple is associated to Chalukya Vinayaditya’s time. The temple was extended in later periods.

During the Vijayanagara rule, the temple received significant expansion and additional structure were added to the temple. The most popular Pushkarini for it’s the crystal clear water throughout the year was built during the 15^th century CE under the patronage of Vijayanagara rulers.

Architecture:

The temple on plan consist of Garbhagriha, arthamandapa and mahamandapa and is enclosed in two prakaras separated by a spacious courtyard. The outer prakara has only entrance in the east surmounted by a five-storied gopura. The inner prakara has four entrances on four sides, each surmounted by a Gopura. The inner wall of the second prakara has a cloister running along its length on all sides. The inner enclosure consist of Pushkarini, Main shrine and subsidiary shrines.

The doorframes are of four sakha variety and bear dwarapalaka and nidhi figures.

The temple is built on Panchayata plan in which the cerntal main shrine has four subsidiary shrines on four corners. The central block was built in Badami Chalukyan style consisting of Garbagriha and Antharala. The garbhagriga has a superstructure Vimana of Rekha-Nagara style. The mukhamandapa and Mahamandapa were built during the 15^th century in Vijayanagara style. All subsidiary shrines were renovated and consist of Garbhagriha and pillared hall.

The main attraction of the temple is the Pushkarini, known by name Rudra-Gundam. It is beautifully designed and consist of crystal clear water, the bottom of the tank can be seen through the water. The water supply to the tank is arranged through the mouth of a Nandi placed on one side, the source of the water is unknown and estimated as from a spring in the hills. The tank is designed with steps reaching bottom on all sides. The tank has compound wall having entrance ways in four cardinal direction, each surmounted by a small superstructure. There is a pillared corridor running all along its sides. There is a two-storied mandapa with four pillars in each floor built at the centre of the Tank and has a pyramidal shaped superstructure above it.

Art & Sculpture:

There are few icons of Deities placed in the subsidiary shrines of the temple such as Veerabadra, Ganesha, Rama and Hanuman.

The pillars in the temple and tank corridor are decorated with sculptures such as different forms of Siva, Vishnu, Hanuman, Rama and some other Devi-Devathas. There are certain depictions of humans portrayed as dancers, musicians, devotees and animals such as elephants, lions, monkeys and birds.

The most celebrated festival in the temple is Sivaratri.  All other holy days as per the Hindu calendar are conducted in the temple.

6.30AM- 1PM, 2PM- 8PM