Nandi, the sacred bull of Shiva
The courtyard of the Halebidu Hoysaleswara Temple has two Nandi Shrines, each facing a garbhagriha (inner sanctum). The Nandi statue shown in the image is in front of the north garbhagriha (a.k.a. Hoysaleswara Garbhagriha) and housed in a stone mantapa (pavillion).
This view is captured from a spot inside the temple in front of the north garbhagriha. Nandi, the sacred bull of Shiva, is his vahana (mount) and the gatekeeper. Nandi’s statue in front of the garbhagriha symbolically represents Nandi’s constant watch on Shiva. As you can see, Nandi is leisurely resting and gazing at the garbhagriha.
Carved out of a single rock, this magnificent statue of Nandi is a superb work of art with great attention paid to detail. With a height of 8ft, a foot shorter than the Nandi (south), it is the 7th largest Nandi in India, but it is the most decorated.
North Nandi Images
– Nandi Shrine (North)
– Front view of Nandi
– Right side view of Nandi
– Exquisitely carved Hooves and tail
South Nandi images
– Nandi and Surya Shrine
– Surya Shrine – Outer wall
– Nandi Statue – Front view
– Nandi Statue – Left side view
– Surya, the Sun God
– A view from the temple
Copyright © 2022 -2023 by YatrikaOne. All rights reserved.