About the Mahanandi Temple
Mahanandi is in the east of Nallamala Hills and Forest; the temple’s main deity is Lord Shiva, worshipped as Mahanandeeswara Swamy. The temple is near Nandyal, Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh. 9 Nandi Shrines called Nava Nandulu within 15km; Mahanandi is the ancient and essential shrine among the nine shrines. Mahanandi temple timings are from 4:30 AM to 9:30 PM, people can have Mahanandi darshan according to the timings.
The other 8 shrines are Shivanandi, Vinayakanandi, Somanandi, Prathamanandi, Garudanandi, Suryanandi, Krishnanandi (also called Vishnunandi) and Naganandi. The Mahanandi temple was constructed 1500 years ago and has gone through repairs and rebuilt several times.
Chalukya Kings built the temple, and the temple’s architecture shows the strong presence of Chalukyas. The temple’s presiding deity is Mahanandeeswara Swamy, in the form of Swayambu Shiva Lingam.
History of Mahanandi Temple
According to the legends, the black cow milk from Gopavaram village, used for Abhishekam daily. The cowherd takes the cows to feed in the forest. One of the cows enters the bush, ooze the milk, and comes home with an empty udder every day.
The cowherd wanted to know the reason, followed the cow, and hid behind the bush. The cow usually stood on the grass-covered ant hole; a lad came out and drank the milk. The cowherd saw that started talking here and there.
The spies of the King heard it and informed the King. The King felt happy and wanted to see the same, and followed the cow slowly, the cow was frightened and ran away hurriedly with its huff sunk the hole, and the child disappeared from there.
The King went home with great surprise and had a dream the same day, Lord Shiva appeared and told him that he only drank the milk and instructed him to construct a temple. The next day king visited the hole and found Rock Pallus instead of a hole. He found the cow’s hoof on the Shiva Lingam and was surprised.
The King constructed the temple, dug an opposite pond direction, and named Rudra Gunda. He dug two ponds in the northern and eastern sides of the temple and called them Brahma Gunda and Vishnu Gunda; the ponds are of total water in all seasons and supply the water for 2000 acres of fertile lands.
Mahanandi Temple Timings
Mahanandi Temple timings open at 4:30 AM with Suprabhatam Seva and close at 9:30 PM by Ekantha Seva.
| Day | Temple Darshan Timings |
| Monday | 4:30 AM to 1:00 PM & 2:00 PM to 9:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 4:30 AM to 1:00 PM & 2:00 PM to 9:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 4:30 AM to 1:00 PM & 2:00 PM to 9:30 PM |
| Thursday | 4:30 AM to 1:00 PM & 2:00 PM to 9:30 PM |
| Friday | 4:30 AM to 1:00 PM & 2:00 PM to 9:30 PM |
| Saturday | 4:30 AM to 1:00 PM & 2:00 PM to 9:30 PM |
| Sunday | 4:30 AM to 1:00 PM & 2:00 PM to 9:30 PM |
Mahanandi Darshan/Poojas/Sevas Timings
Devotees come here to perform Poojas and Sevas to Lord Mahanandeeswara Swamy. Below are Sevas with timings and prices.
| S No. | Poojas/Sevas | Temple Timings | Ticket Prices |
| 1 | Suprabhatam Seva | 4:30 AM to 5:00 AM | Rs.100 per person |
| 2 | Sthanika Abhishekam, Binde Seva | 5:00 AM to 5:30 AM | Rs.100 per person |
| 3 | Astavidha Maha Mangala Harathi | 5:30 AM to 6:30 AM | Rs.100 per person |
| 4 | Darshan | 6:30 AM to 8:00 AM 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM | Rs 20 to Rs 351 per person |
| 5 | Nijaroopa Darshan | 8:00 am to 9:00 am 11:00 am to 12:00 pm 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Rs.50 |
| 6 | Nithya Kalyanam | 11:00 AM onward | Rs.1116 |
| 7 | Maha Nivedana | 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM | |
| 8 | Break Time (No Darshan) | 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM | |
| 9 | Astavidha Maha Mangala Harathi | 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM | Rs.100 |
| 10 | Ekantha Seva | 9:00 PM to 9:30 PM | Rs .50 |
Mahanandi Darshan for Other Pooja Timings
Special Poojas performed to Mahanandeeswara Swamy are:
Mangala Vadhyamulu – 4.45 AM
Swamy Vari Sthanika Abhishekam – 5.30 AM
Mahamangala Harathi – 6.00 AM
Abhishekam Swamy Vari – 6.30 AM to 12.30 PM
Laghunyasa Abhishekam – 6.30 AM to 12.30 PM and 6.00 PM to 8.30 PM
Mahanyasa Purvaka Ekadasa Rudrabhishekam – 6.30 AM to 12.30 PM and 6.00 PM to 8.30 PM
Malluru Narasimha Swamy Temple | History and Timings
Festivals Celebrated
The main festival celebrated in the temple is Maha Shivaratri for seven days initiating from” Maha Bhula Chaturdasi”. Every day nearly 20000 devotees visit the temple from Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Mysore. The other festivals celebrated here are:
- Ugadi: March / April
- Vaikunta Ekadasi: December/ January
- Kartika Pournima: November/ December
- Vijayadashami: October
Mahanandi Prasadams
The temple provides Prasadam to the devotees who visit the temple. Below are the Prasadams with prices
Pulihora: Rs.10/-
Laddu: Rs.10/-
Abhishekam Laddu: Rs.50/-
How to Reach
By Air: The nearest airport is Orvakal Airport, Kurnool, 40km from Nandyal. The other airport is Shamshabad Airport, Hyderabad, nearly 250kms to Nandyal.
By Rail: The nearest railway station is Gajupally Railway Station, 6 km from Mahanandi. The next nearest railway station is Nandyal Junction which is 19 km from the temple.
By Road: APSRTC provided several buses from Nandyal to Mahanandi. There are buses from different places like Amaravathi, Hyderabad, Tirupati, Srisailam, etc.
Accommodation for Mahanandi Darshan
Many Hotels, Guesthouses, and Lodges in Mahanandi accommodate the pilgrims. There is Haritha Hotel for the devotees to stay.
Mahanandi Temple Address & Phone Number
Sri Mahanandeeswara Swamy Vari Temple,
Mahanandi (V&M),
Kurnool District – 518502.
Office:08514-234726 / 284620
Enquiry: 08514-234728