Nandi Temple, Chamundi Hill

This shrine on the slopes of Chamundi Hill in Mysuru is built around a huge statue of Nandi, the bull who carries Shiva and who stands for strength and loyalty. It dates from the reign of Dodda Devaraja Wadiyar of Mysore and reflects the Wadiyar rulers' devotion to Shiva, and it remains a popular stop for Shaivite pilgrims.

The seated bull was cut from a single block of granite and measures about 16 feet high and 25 feet long, making it one of the largest Nandi figures in India; its ornaments and pose are finely worked. One legend says a sage named Gautama did penance here and won the blessing of Shiva and Nandi, while another holds that the statue grew larger by itself, which adds to its sanctity.