Place · Nava Nandi pilgrimage town · India
Nandyala
/n̪ʌn̪d̪jaːl̪ʌ/
Also known as Nandyala, Nandial, Nandiyal, Nandalluru
Nandyala is a historic town at the edge of the Nallamala hills, best known as the centre of the Nava Nandi pilgrimage landscape, a cluster of nine Shaiva temples around the town. Its location also made it an important regional centre connecting the Rayalaseema interior with the Nallamala pilgrimage routes. The dargah of Shehinsha Vali, also known as Thikkaswamy, is a local Islamic shrine in Nandyal district.
- Date
- 1300–None
- Periods
- Regional Flourishing, Islamic Age and Bhakti Traditions, Early Modern Age, British Colonial Age, Republic and Living Practice
- Function
- Other / mixed
- Patron dynasty
- Vijayanagara
- Condition
- living town
- Confidence
- Established / referenced
- Location
- 15.477, 78.482
Worth knowing
The name is traditionally derived from Nandi Alayam, referring to the nine Nandi-associated temples surrounding the town. The Kundu River flows west of Nandyala, while the Nallamalas rise to its east.
Connections (2)
- Companion in the same setSrisailam/ Sri Shailam
Nandyala is historically connected to Srisailam through the Nallamala landscape. The town functions as an important gateway toward the major Shaiva pilgrimage centre of Srisailam, with routes crossing the Nallamala hills. Both belong to a wider sacred geography centred on Shiva, forests, rivers and pilgrimage across southern Andhra.
- Companion in the same setAhobilam
Nandyala and Ahobilam are major pilgrimage centres in the Nallamala region, representing different religious traditions within the same landscape. Nandyal anchors the Nava Nandi Shaiva circuit, while Ahobilam is associated with Narasimha and Sri Vaishnavism. Their proximity illustrates the overlapping Shaiva and Vaishnava sacred geographies of Rayalaseema.
Sources
Andhra Pradesh Tourism
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