The Majestic Nandi of Lepakshi – A Monolithic Marvel

In the shadow of divine legends and Vijayanagara grandeur, a young granite bull gazes westward in eternal devotion.

About a kilometre before you reach the famed Lepakshi Temple in Andhra Pradesh, the road gently curves to reveal one of India’s largest monolithic Nandi sculptures, a silent guardian carved from a single block of granite, immovable yet full of life.

This colossal Nandi, known simply as the Lepakshi Nandi, is one of the finest and most massive of its kind. Sculpted in couchant posture, it measures around 27 feet long and 15 feet high, making it not just one of the largest Nandi sculptures in the country, but one of the most beautifully proportioned. What’s more, it isn’t tucked within a temple complex but rather sits open to the sky, welcoming travellers as they enter the sacred town.

Lepakshi Nandi

A Young Bull in Stone

This Nandi is not just about size; it is about detail. A graceful bell necklace, muvvahara (a triple-strand necklace), and delicate earrings adorn its form. The short, youthful horns, coupled with the high-held head tilted slightly above the usual posture, give it the appearance of a young Basavanna - proud, attentive, yet deeply devoted. This raised head posture departs from the usual submissive gaze of Nandis, perhaps hinting at the confident devotion of youth.

Every aspect of the statue, from the Kirtimukha motifs on either flank to the meticulously carved necklace with clearly defined links, speaks volumes of the craftsmanship of the Vijayanagara sculptors. The sheer massiveness of the bull hasn't come at the expense of aesthetics; the finish and proportion are strikingly elegant.

Lepakshi Nandi

Facing His Lord from Afar

In many temples, Nandi is seated directly facing the sanctum of Shiva. But in Lepakshi, the dynamic changes. The Nandi sits at a distance of about 358 meters from the Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, looking toward a monolithic seven-hooded Naga Linga located just outside the main shrine complex. This indirect alignment introduces a sense of narrative tension; the mount looks toward his master, but the Lord is not within direct line of sight. Yet the devotion is unwavering.

Lepakshi Nandi

Crafted by Masters, Not by Plan

One of the most delightful legends surrounding this sculpture is that it may have been carved in a single day; not as a commissioned temple piece, but by artisans who were idly waiting for their meal. While the story might lean on the side of folklore, the casual spontaneity it suggests makes the sculpture even more extraordinary. If something so awe-inspiring was born of leisure, what wonders might they have sculpted in seriousness?

Lepakshi Nandi

A Legacy of Vijayanagara

Dating back to the late 1500s, this Nandi is a brilliant example of Vijayanagara period stone sculpture. After the fall of Hampi in the Battle of Talikota in 1565 CE, Penukonda briefly became the capital of the empire, and many temple constructions were initiated in the surrounding areas. Lepakshi, along with places like Gudibanda and Gummanayakana, benefited from this burst of devotional architecture.

The Nandi of Lepakshi is not just a sculpture; it is a statement. A statement of artistic mastery, youthful devotion, and the enduring spiritual ethos of South India.

Surrounded by a peaceful garden, this monumental bull is more than just a photo stop — it’s a place to pause, absorb, and admire.

Happy travelling.

Lepakshi Nandi