Nandi (south) as seen from the from the temple
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 south garbhagriha (a.k.a. Shantaleswara Garbhagriha) and housed in a stone mantapa (pavilion).
This view is captured from a spot inside the temple in front of the north garbhagriha. Nandi, the sacred 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. This statue is 9ft tall and is the 6th largest Nandi in India.
Nandi (north) images
– Nandi Shrine
– Front view of Nandi
– Right side view of Nandi
– Exquisitely carved Hooves and tail
– A view from the temple
Nandi (south) images
– Nandi and Surya Shrine
– Surya Shrine – Outer walll
– Nandi Statue – Front view
– Nandi Statue – Left side view
– Surya, the Sun God
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