Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
Prathama Nandi Temple in Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh, is the shrine of Prathamanandi – the "first Nandi" – and the traditional starting point of the Nava Nandi yatra, the pilgrimage to the nine Nandi shrines of Lord Shiva around Nandyal and Mahanandi. Here the Lord is worshipped with his consort, Kedareswari Devi.
Legend
According to tradition, Lord Brahma performed penance to Lord Shiva at this place. A special feature of the temple is that, at certain times of the year, the rays of the setting sun fall on the Shiva Linga in the sanctum.
Location
The temple stands on raised ground in Krishna Nagar, in the Moolasagaram area of Nandyal town, towards Bommalasatram – about 1.5 km from Nandyal railway station (about 3 km by road).
The Nava Nandi Yatra
Prathamanandi is one of the Nava Nandis – the nine Nandi shrines around Nandyal and Mahanandi, whose names are Prathamanandi, Naganandi, Somanandi, Shivanandi, Suryanandi, Krishnanandi, Garudanandi, Vinayakanandi and Mahanandi. All nine lie within about 15 km of one another, and devotees try to visit them in a single day. On the yatra, Prathamanandi is usually the first stop and comes before Naganandi, and the pilgrimage ends at the great Mahanandiswara Swamy Temple.
About the Shrine
The founding year of the shrine has not been published. It is a living place of worship, visited especially by pilgrims on the Nava Nandi yatra.
Festivals
- Maha Shivaratri – the most popular time for the Nava Nandi yatra (usually February–March).
- Karthika Masam – lamps and special worship, especially on Mondays (usually October–November).
Visitor Information
- Timings: official timings are not published; the shrine is usually open in the morning and evening. Please check locally, especially if you plan to cover all nine shrines in a day.
- Etiquette: traditional dress is recommended; remove footwear before entering.
How to Reach
- By Road: The temple is in the Moolasagaram area of Nandyal town, about 3 km by road from Nandyal Junction railway station; autorickshaws are easily available.
- By Train: the nearest railway station is Nandyal Junction (about 3 km).
- By Air: the nearest airport is Kurnool Airport at Orvakal (KJB), about 59 km away by road.
