The Statue of Nandi is greatly admired and venerated by the people of Hampi and is believed to protect the town. Although little damaged over the natural course of time, the statue still looks beautiful and attracts tourists. The site of the statue is also the main location for Vijaya Utsav, the Hampi Arts festival which is held in November every year.
Why does the Nandi idol at Yaganti Temple keep growing? For centuries, devotees and scientists have marveled at this unique phenomenon in Andhra Pradesh’s sacred Uma Maheswara Swamy Temple. Some believe it is a divine sign tied to ancient prophecies, while geologists point to natural mineral expansion in the rock.
Nandi, the sacred bull of Lord Shiva, holds a special place in Hinduism as a symbol of devotion, purity, and strength. Always seated before the Shiva Linga, Nandi represents the soul focused on the divine, reminding devotees of life’s ultimate goal God-realization. Beyond being Shiva’s vahana (vehicle), Nandi embodies meditation, patience, and Dharma, making him one of the most revered figures in Hindu temples and scriptures.
The name Nandi was widely used instead as a humanistic gate-guardian deity of Kailasa, rather than his mount, in the oldest Shaivite texts in Sanskrit, Tamil, and other Indian languages. Siddhanta texts distinguish Nandi from Vṛṣabha. According to them, Devi, Chandesha, Mahakala, Vṛṣabha, Nandi, Ganesha, Bhringi, and Murugan, are the eight Ganeshwaras (commanders) of Shiva. Thus we must rest assured that he would also guard and protect us by not allowing negative energies in our homes.
