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:

Cloudia said...

how many of us worship our vehicles?





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RIZALENIO said...

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

Sailor said...

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

Anonymous said...

Hi

Useful information

thanks

Bhushavali said...

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

Sridharan said...

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

Debbie Taillieu said...

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

Teamgsquare said...

Huge and amazing

joo said...

Impressive and beautiful statue!

George said...

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

Sylvia K said...

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

Sylvia

Unknown said...

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

eileeninmd said...

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

Photo Cache said...

very interesting post. i learn something new everyday.

Kay L. Davies said...

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

Hazel said...

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

Anonymous said...

Such a kind-looking statue!

snowwhite said...

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

Penelope Notes said...

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

alicesg said...

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

Carver said...

The Nandi is fantastic. Great post.

Jenny Woolf said...

Truly splendid statue!

LifeRamblings said...

very interesting post and such an impressive sculpture.

Anonymous said...

Intriguing statue - the detail and ornamentation is exquisite.

magiceye said...

impresive

Pietro Brosio said...

Amazing, really interesting statue.

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Majestic!

Roger Owen Green said...

nice, and HUGE sculpture
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Regina said...

Interesting and great captures!

Su-sieee! Mac said...

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

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

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.)

Lowell said...

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.

Eden said...

Wow..huge and beautiful! Great shots.

Anonymous said...

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

Chubskulit Rose said...

Nice 'n Neat!

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

Unknown said...

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.

Mona said...

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

Anya said...

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

Joy said...

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

jabblog said...

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

Rajesh said...

Thanks to all for appreciating this wonderful craftsmanship.

Unknown said...

Impressive and beautiful!

Dianne said...

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

Maria @ LSS said...

Interesting work of art.

vernz said...

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

Mona said...

Amazing art work..

Rajesh said...

Thanks to all for appreciating this wonderful craftsmanship.

Jeevan said...

This is a beautiful nandi overall.

Deguide said...

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

Anonymous said...

nostalgic,

Chapters From My Life said...

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

Deepa Gopal said...

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

Shrinidhi Hande said...

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

Sujatha Sathya said...

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

Nethra said...

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.

T F Carthick said...

Nice one. I visited this place many years back.

Rajesh said...

Thank you all for appreciating this mammoth sculpture of Nandi.