Monday, April 18, 2011

Nandi at Chamundi Hills, Mysore

The Nandi located at the top of Chamundi hills in Mysore (State: Karnataka) is bulit sometime in the years 1659 – 1673. The creation of this huge image of Nandi attributed to Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar, the Maharajas of Mysore.



This is the largest image of Nandi in India. Carved out of single mammoth boulder it is about 16 feet in height and 24 feet long.



The Nandi is in sitting position with its left foreleg folded is on a 4 feet high platform. Many sequences of bells and garlands are carved beautifully over the Nandi.



According Hindi mythology considered as Lord Shiva's vehicle, the Nandi is in actively worshiped. This is an open shrine exposed to the elements of nature.

Direction: This shrine can be reached by climbing 1000 steps on the hill. Alternatively on the main road to hilltop, take right at the “View Point” junction. From this junction it is 2kms.

57 comments:

  1. how many of us worship our vehicles?





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  2. Interesting. This made me want to read more on Hindu myth.

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  3. I have been to Mysore several times but never to Chamundi hills. Nice pictures.

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  4. Anonymous14:36

    Hi

    Useful information

    thanks

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  5. I've visited this place years ago. Thanks for making me relive those moments!!! :)
    Customized T-Shirt Print
    Kannikonna flowers in full bloom

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  6. Wonderful Hills that I visited too. Nice to remember it thru this post.

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  7. This is pretty darn interesting! I would take the hike to see this!
    Have a fabulous day!
    Debbie's Travels

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  8. Impressive and beautiful statue!

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  9. This is a very impressive shrine. It's almost hard to believe that it was carved from a single boulder. It is very beautiful.

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  10. Fascinating captures and history as always, Rajesh! Thanks for sharing! Have a great week!

    Sylvia

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  11. Wow out of a solid piece of rock!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  12. Wow, what an awesome carving. It must look huge in person. Thanks for sharing , Rajesh!

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  13. very interesting post. i learn something new everyday.

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  14. What an amazing carving, Rajesh! You are one person who really does "My World" well - we can all learn so much from you.
    -- K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  15. That is really huge! The climb there must be fun. At least it is for the able-bodied.

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  16. Anonymous10:09

    Such a kind-looking statue!

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  17. This is an overwhelming carving! Hindu deities resemble Buddhist deities who also have animal vehicles many times.

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  18. The many steps it takes to get to the shrine is a good form of exercise.

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  19. Very interesting to know more about your culture. Thanks for sharing.

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  20. The Nandi is fantastic. Great post.

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  21. Truly splendid statue!

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  22. very interesting post and such an impressive sculpture.

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  23. Anonymous07:46

    Intriguing statue - the detail and ornamentation is exquisite.

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  24. Amazing, really interesting statue.

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  25. nice, and HUGE sculpture
    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

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  26. Interesting and great captures!

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  27. Wow! Carved out of one rock! I wonder how many people worked the scuplture and how long it must've taken them. Just amazing!

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  28. This is an amazing work of carving. From a single stone -- it is hard to imagine. I haven't heard of Nandi before but after seeing this picture and reading your explanation, I don't think I'll ever forget it. (Thank you for being such a good teacher.)

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  29. Very interesting! Never heard of the Nandi...

    If the Nandi is Lord Shiva's vehicle, can it fly or is it earthbound? I'd guess in the mythology it could do both...awfully big, though.

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  30. Wow..huge and beautiful! Great shots.

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  31. Anonymous19:17

    Wonderful.. there is one even at Lepakshi Temple and its so much bigger... Will post the picture of it on my blog sometime

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  32. Nice 'n Neat!

    Retired Navy for N, hope you can come by and comment. Thank you!

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  33. How many carvers created this impressive version of Nandi, I wonder.
    Thank you for these photos and details; I am fascinated by Hindu mythology.
    HelenMac, ABC Wednesday Team

    P.S. I know a doctor named Nandihalli.

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  34. My BIL said that there are many beautiful sight seeings in India and i think he is right seeing this thing.

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  35. It looks so BIG and very special
    its beautiful :-)

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  36. Beautiful carving, the garland looks as as though it has just been put on, so real. Well worth climbing 1000 steps to see Nandi.

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  37. That is so beautiful! I love the expression on its face - it looks very benevolent.

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  38. Thanks to all for appreciating this wonderful craftsmanship.

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  39. Impressive and beautiful!

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  40. it is amazing that it is carved from one boulder
    so much detail
    it's wonderful

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  41. Interesting work of art.

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  42. this is another interesting work of art Rajesh... always amazed when visiting your blog. was here for RT hope you can visit back.

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  43. Amazing art work..

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  44. Thanks to all for appreciating this wonderful craftsmanship.

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  45. This is a beautiful nandi overall.

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  46. I feel this statue must have been built during the hoysala reign Prabhu because of Soap stone used to carve the Nandi

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  47. Anonymous10:09

    nostalgic,

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  48. Good blog...
    Has been sometime since I went there .. Mysore was a regular destination for picnics and short tours when I was in Bangalore.

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  49. Beautiful! I am reminded of the time I'd been there:)

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  50. I too have a few photos of this.. should publish sometime

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  51. this was a nostalgic post for me. M from Blore & nandi hills is a place v visit at least once in 2 years...so well....

    nice photos

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  52. The Nandi that's in Shivgange and the nandi that's in Bull temple are good too. I don't recall this nandi because had been to Mysore when I was only 10yr old.

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  53. Nice one. I visited this place many years back.

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  54. Thank you all for appreciating this mammoth sculpture of Nandi.

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