Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
Vishnu Nandi, also called Krishna Nandi, is one of the Nava Nandis – the nine Nandi shrines of Lord Shiva in and around Nandyal and Mahanandi. It is a serene shrine at the village of Bukkapuram, a short distance north of the great Mahanandiswara temple.
Legend
According to tradition, Lord Maha Vishnu himself performed penance to Lord Shiva at this place – a beautiful expression of the unity of Shiva and Vishnu.
Location
The shrine is at Bukkapuram village, about 3.5 km north of Mahanandi as the crow flies, near the Telugu Ganga canal. On maps it is listed as "Krishna Nandi Temple".
The Nava Nandi Yatra
Krishnanandi 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, Krishnanandi usually follows Suryanandi and comes before Garudanandi, 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 shrine is at Bukkapuram, about 3.5 km north of Mahanandi; by road the distance depends on the route taken, so an autorickshaw or taxi from Mahanandi or Nandyal is easiest.
- By Train: the nearest railway station is Nandyal Junction (about 20 km by road).
- By Air: the nearest airport is Kurnool Airport at Orvakal (KJB), about 76 km away by road.
