Stand on the lane at Bommalasatram in Nandyal and you are at the first stop of a pilgrimage circuit that has been walked for centuries: Prathama Nandi, the opening shrine of the Nava Nandulu, the nine Nandi temples that give this town its name. The name itself comes from "Nandi-Aalayam", the abode of Nandi, and the town sits at roughly 203 metres above sea level between the Nallamala and Erramala ranges.
Nandyal suits travellers who are drawn to temple towns and are willing to base themselves in one place while making day trips into the hills and forest around it. The nine Nandi shrines lie within a 15-kilometre radius of the town, while Mahanandi, Ahobilam, Srisailam, Yaganti and the Belum Caves sit further out in the district.
This guide covers the sights and experiences the sources support, in the order worth doing them, followed by a one-day plan and answers to the questions travellers ask most.
Top things to do in Nandyal
1. Mahanandiswara Swamy Temple, Mahanandi
Mahanandi is a pilgrimage village east of the Nallamala Hills and home to the Mahanandiswara Swamy Temple, considered the most significant and largest of the Nava Nandulu shrines. It is the primary destination of the circuit, and the temple's early stone structures were laid in the 7th century by the Chalukyas, with Dravidian gopurams and pillared mandapas added later under Vijayanagara rule.
Inside, you can see a continuous stream of water pouring into an artificial pond. The source of the water is still a mystery, and it is held to be so pure that, by local belief, you would have to travel to the Himalayas to find its equal in India. Combine the visit with Garuda Nandi just outside the village perimeter, identifiable by a massive Nandi statue, and with Vinayaka Nandi, a small shrine to the left of the exit Gopuram of the main temple.
2. The Nava Nandulu circuit
The nine Nandi shrines are traditionally walked in a practical geographic route order, and following it saves you from doubling back. The sequence runs: Prathama Nandi on a lane of Nandyal and Bommalasatram; Naga Nandi inside an Anjaneya temple near the main Nandyal bus stand; Soma Nandi towards the eastern edge of Nandyal town; Surya Nandi on the approach road to Mahanandi near U. Bollavaram village; Shiva Nandi further along the forest route towards Mahanandi; Vishnu Nandi, also called Krishnanandi, along the Telugu Ganga canal banks; Garuda Nandi just outside Mahanandi village; Mahanandi itself; and Vinayaka Nandi beside the main temple's exit Gopuram.
Start early, since the route leaves the town and enters forest country before reaching Mahanandi. The first three shrines are within Nandyal town and can be covered on foot or with short rides before you set out on the road.
3. Srisailam Temple
Srisailam temple, also known as Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Devasthanam, is significant to both Shaivism and Shaktism: it is counted among the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva and among the fifty-two Shakta pithas. Shiva is worshipped here as Mallikarjuna and represented by the lingam, while his consort Parvati is depicted as Bhramaramba.
The temple lies in Nandyal district, 163 km from Nandyal, so treat it as a full-day excursion rather than a stop on the Nava Nandulu route. Give it its own day and set out early.
4. Ahobilam
Ahobilam is the centre of worship of Lord Narasimha, the lion-headed avatar of Vishnu, along with his consort Pratyangira, an avatar of Lakshmi. It sits in the Nallamala section of the Eastern Ghats among several mountain hills and gorges, and the temple is set in a scenic forest.
Ahobilam is 63.8 km from Nandyal, a drive of about two hours, which makes it the most manageable of the out-of-town temple trips. The forest setting is part of the experience, so allow time beyond the temple itself.
5. Sri Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple
The Sri Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple near Nandyal holds one of the largest Nandi idols in the world. According to the Archaeological Survey of India, the rock here grows at a rate of 1 inch (2.5 cm) per 20 years.
Yaganti also features extensive Paleolithic and Mesolithic rock art in the surrounding hill ranges, part of the same ancient record of habitation found at Ketavaram. Pair the temple visit with a look at the rock art if you have time.
6. Belum Caves
The Belum Caves are another attraction in the Nandyal region and are included in the district's visitor offerings alongside Mahanandi and Srisailam. They are a change of pace from the temple circuit and suit travellers who want something other than shrines in their itinerary.
Because the caves are outside Nandyal town, plan them as a separate outing rather than squeezing them between two Nandi stops.
7. Prathama Nandi
Prathama Nandi, the first of the nine, is situated on a lane of Nandyal and Bommalasatram. It is the natural place to begin the circuit, and starting here sets you up to move through the town shrines before heading out towards Mahanandi.
Visit it first thing, then walk or ride to Naga Nandi and Soma Nandi, which are also within the town.
8. Naga Nandi
Naga Nandi is located inside an Anjaneya (Hanuman) temple near the main Nandyal bus stand. Being at the bus stand makes it the easiest of the nine to reach if you are arriving in Nandyal by bus.
Combine it with Prathama Nandi and Soma Nandi in a single town walk, since all three sit within Nandyal.
9. Soma Nandi
Soma Nandi lies towards the eastern edge of Nandyal town. It is the third of the town shrines and the last of the nine that sits within Nandyal itself before the route turns towards the approach road to Mahanandi.
Treat it as the point where your town walk ends and your onward journey begins.
10. Surya Nandi
Surya Nandi is positioned on the approach road to Mahanandi near U. Bollavaram village. It comes after the town shrines and before the forest stretch of the route.
Because it sits on the road out of town, it fits naturally into a Mahanandi-bound morning rather than a separate trip.
11. Shiva Nandi
Shiva Nandi is located further along the forest route towards Mahanandi. The forest setting is the distinguishing feature of this stretch of the circuit.
Plan this leg in daylight, as it lies beyond the town on the forest road.
12. Vishnu Nandi (Krishnanandi)
Vishnu Nandi, also known as Krishnanandi, is tucked away along the Telugu Ganga canal banks. Its position by the canal makes it one of the quieter stops on the route.
Since it is off the main line of the circuit, check your route before setting out so you do not miss the turn.
13. Garuda Nandi
Garuda Nandi is located just outside the perimeter of Mahanandi village and is identifiable by a massive Nandi statue. It is the last stop before Mahanandi itself on the traditional route.
Visit it on the way into Mahanandi village, then continue to the main temple.
14. Vinayaka Nandi
Vinayaka Nandi is a small shrine located to the left of the exit Gopuram of the main Mahanandi temple. It completes the nine and is easily missed if you leave the temple without looking for it.
Look for it as you exit the main temple, so you finish the full circuit in the traditional order.
If you only have one day
Morning: Begin at Prathama Nandi on the lane at Bommalasatram, then continue to Naga Nandi inside the Anjaneya temple near the main Nandyal bus stand and Soma Nandi towards the eastern edge of town. Leave Nandyal and pick up the route out of town at Surya Nandi near U. Bollavaram village, then Shiva Nandi further along the forest road.
Afternoon: Reach Mahanandi village and stop first at Garuda Nandi, just outside the perimeter and marked by its massive Nandi statue. Continue to the Mahanandiswara Swamy Temple, the largest and most significant of the nine, and see the continuous stream of water pouring into the artificial pond. On your way out, find Vinayaka Nandi to the left of the exit Gopuram to complete the circuit.
Evening: Return to Nandyal. If you have time before dark, Vishnu Nandi along the Telugu Ganga canal banks is the remaining shrine of the nine and can be visited on the way back into town.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Nava Nandulu?
They are nine sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, collectively known as the Nava Nandulu or Nine Nandis, all located within a 15-kilometre radius of Nandyal. The name Nandyal derives from "Nandi-Aalayam", meaning the abode of Nandi, the sacred bull and mount of Lord Shiva.
Which of the nine Nandi temples is the most significant?
Mahanandi, home to the Mahanandiswara Swamy Temple, is considered the most significant and largest of the Nava Nandulu shrines and is the primary destination of the circuit.
How far are the other major temples from Nandyal?
Ahobilam is 63.8 km from Nandyal and is about a two-hour drive. Srisailam temple is 163 km from Nandyal, both within Nandyal district.
What else is there to see in the district besides the Nandi temples?
The district also includes the Belum Caves, and the Sri Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple near Nandyal, which has one of the largest Nandi idols in the world. Ahobilam, dedicated to Lord Narasimha, and Srisailam are the other major temple destinations.
Work out which of the nine shrines you want to walk in town and which day trips you want to add, then start planning your route around the circuit.