Mahanandi Village in Kurnool, is situated to the east of Nallamala Hills. The nine nandis called as 'Navanandis' can be seen from the village. The Mahanandiswara Swamy Temple is the prime attraction of the village, belonging to the Chalukyan period. It is devoted to Lord Mahanandiswara, one of the forms of Lord Shiva. The festival of Magha Bhula Chaturdasi is celebrated here in the month of February or March and lasts for seven days.
The legend says that, Nanda was one of the Kings of Nandyal, once wished to perform Abhishekam to Lors Shiva with milk. He ordered for the supply of milk for pooja. One of the Cowherds of Gopavaram village, who in charge of thid duty observed that one of the Cows coming empty every day. In order to find our what is happening to the milk of this Cow, he followed the Cow to forest and hides himself in a thick bush. The Cow as usual reached an ant hill grazed around for a while and began to empty its milk. A young lad was sucking the mil,. The Cowherd, who was astonished as this sight, conveyed the news to the King. The King was amazed and decided to ascertain the fact. The next day, he followed the Cowherd and hides himself in the thick bush. As usual the Cow began to give her milk on the ant hill. The young lad began to drink the milk, when the King was over enjoyed at the sight, God disappeared immediately and the Cow in its hurry tramped the ant hill. The hoops of the Cow are deeply marked on the ant hill.
Lord Shiva appeared in the dream of the King and told him to worship him at that place. The King constructed a temple. Till today the marks of hoops are clearly visible on th Shiva Lingam. The Shiva Lingam is being touched and worshipped by one and all. The story of King Nanda, the buildings of the temple may appear to be of mythological interests to the present day historian. But inscriptions on the stones around Mahanandi Temple speak about the antiquity of the temple. A mention is made of this place as Mahanandi Theertha on the copper place inscriptions of King Krishna Devaraya of the Vijayanagaram Empire.
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