Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
Soma Nandi is one of the Nava Nandis – the nine Nandi shrines of Lord Shiva in and around Nandyal and Mahanandi. It stands on the eastern side of Nandyal town, close to the Jagajjanani temple.
Legend
According to tradition, Indra, the king of the Devas, performed penance to Lord Shiva at this place. The name Soma – the Moon – is also linked with Shiva, who wears the crescent moon on his head.
Location
The temple is on the eastern side of Nandyal, in Jagajanani Nagar near Sri Potti Sriramulu Colony and Srinivasa Nagar, close to the Jagajjanani temple – about 1.5 km east of the Nandyal APSRTC bus station. Locally it is also called Someswara Nandi, and it appears on maps under that name.
The Nava Nandi Yatra
Somanandi 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, Somanandi usually follows Naganandi and comes before Shivanandi, 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 on the eastern edge of Nandyal town; autorickshaws are available from the bus stand and the railway station.
- By Train: the nearest railway station is Nandyal Junction (about 6 km by road).
- By Air: the nearest airport is Kurnool Airport at Orvakal (KJB), about 60 km away by road.
