Sri Mahanandeeswara Temple – Mahanandi

History 

This ancient temple dates back over 1,500 years. The inscriptions of 10th-century peoples speak of the Sri Mahanandeeswara Temple being repaired and restored many times.

The Kind Nanda, of Nandyal, once wished to perform Abhisekam to Lord Siva, with milk. He ordered the supply of milk for Pooja. One of the cowherds of Gopavaram village, who was then in charge of this duty suddenly noticed that one of the cows was coming empty every day. To find out the reason behind this, he followed the cow one day to the forest and hid behind the bush. To his surprise, the cow reached the ant-hill, grazed around for some time, and began to empty its milk. A young boy was having the milk.

The cowherd then conveyed this news to the King. As expected the King was surprised and decided to experience it himself. The next day, he did the same thing and again the cow began to give her milk on the ant-hill. The young lad began to drink the milk again, but God vanished immediately once the king started to enjoy the sight and the cow in a hurry destroyed the ant-hill. The hoops of the cow are still deeply marked on the anthill.

One day, Lord Siva appeared in the dream of the King and told him to worship him at that place. So, the King constructed a temple which is known as Mahanandi Temple.

Architecture

Sri Mahanandeeswara Temple has marvelous architecture and is marked by a huge Nandi at the entrance and therefore it’s known as Mahanandi Tirtha. The sight of Nandi can be seen from the village itself. As you pass the Nandi at the entrance, you will find two perennial pools with crystal clear water in them.

By walking a little further, one will see the second prakara and then a large Pushkarani or Kalyani that is spreads over 60sq feet with a Mantapam in the center.

There is a small Shiva Linga in this mandapam. Mahanandi temple is known for its curative powers found within the heat lukewarm drinking water found within the tank. The inlets and outlets of the tank are organized in a way that the depth of the water remains constant at 5 feet for the devotees to swim in. The supply of this water here has never been stopped water is alleged to return from five springs known as Daivodhinidhara, Srisailadhara, Kailasatirtha, Narasimhadhara, and Nanditirtha.

The main temple is surrounded by two small pools at the entrance and one big pool inside the temple itself. This holy tank is 60 square feet with an outdoor pavilion called a mandapa in the center. 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. Bathing in the inside big pool is prohibited after 5 PM every day.

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 just below Swayambhu Linga. One can touch the water near the Shiva Linga. 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 of fertile land surrounding the village. The Sri Mahanandeeswara Temple is well known for the Koneru. The water during the winter season will be very hot and vice versa during the summer. During the early mornings, the water is lukewarm and water gets cooled gradually with the temperature rise.

Timings to visit Sri Mahanandeeswara Temple

04:30 AM – 01:00 PM |  02:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Sevas / Darshan Ticket Prices

4. General Darshan / Paid Darshan Tickets
   a) Paid Darshan | ₹50 | Morning: 6:30 AM to 12:30 PM
   b) Free Darshan | Free | Morning: 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM
   c) Special Darshan | ₹150 | Morning: 6:30 AM to 8:00 PM

 Note: For school students in uniforms and those with disability ID cards — Free Darshan is provided.

5. Kalyanam Seva (Daily)
   a) With Temple Provided Material | ₹1500 | Morning: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
   b) With Own Material (Only Ticket) | ₹500 | Morning: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

6. Mahanyasa Purvaka Rudrabhishekam | ₹1500 | Morning: 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM (Sundays, Mondays, Full Moon, New Moon)
   Ticket Distribution: 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM

7. Mahamrityunjaya Homam | ₹1500 | Noon: 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

8. Ratha Seva | ₹100 | Evening: 9:00 PM to 9:30 PM

Note to Devotees: Without a proper receipt/ticket, the seva or darshan is not permitted. Please take tickets at the counter only.

Pooja Timings

Mangala Vadhyamulu: 4:45 AM

Swamy Vari Sthanika Abhishekam: 5:30 AM

Mahamangala Harathi: 6:00 AM

Abhishekam Swamy Vari: 6:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Laghunyasa Abhishekam: 6:30 AM – 12:30 PM | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Mahanyasa Purvaka Ekadasa Rudrabhishekam: 6:30 AM – 12:30 PM | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Prasadam

Pulihora: Rs.10/-

Laddu: Rs.10/-

Abhishekam Laddu: Rs.50/-

Festivals Celebrate at Mahanandi

Ugadi: March / April

Vaikunta Ekadasi: December/ January

Kartika Pournima: November/ December

Vijayadashami: October

Mahanandi Hotel Booking

• Mahanandi Haritha Hotel

Call Us To Check Availability And Booking +91 – 9110583839

How to reach Mahanandi

By Air: GMR Indira Gandhi International Airport – 215 km.

By Rail: Nandyal – 16 km, Gajupally Railway Station – 6 km,

By Road: Mahanandi – 16 km, Nandyala – 100 km, Kurnool – 80 km

Address

Sri Mahanandeeswara Swamy Vari Devasthanam, Mahanandi, Kurnool District – 518502, Andhra Pradesh.

Also Read Places to Visit In and Around Kurnool District

Also Visit AP Temples Official Website