Marble Nandi Statues

Who Nandi is

Nandi is the sacred bull who serves as Shiva's vahana and gatekeeper. He is traditionally regarded as the ideal devotee, always attentive to Shiva, and in many Shiva temples a Nandi murti sits facing the inner shrine. Many devotees pause for Nandi's darshan before approaching Shiva.

Common forms of Nandi in marble

• Seated Nandi, with legs folded beneath the body and head raised, is by far the most common form.
• Nandi with a carved garland, bells and decorative cloth across the back.
• Nandi on a raised plinth, often chosen for temples so that he can be seen from a distance.
• Small Nandi murtis made to accompany a Shivling in a home mandir.

Placing Nandi with a Shivling or Shiva murti

Nandi is traditionally placed facing the Shivling or Shiva murti, looking directly towards the shrine. In temples he is usually set at some distance in front, while in a home mandir he may sit just in front of the Shivling. A popular custom in many temples is to whisper a prayer into Nandi's ear. Details of placement vary by region and temple tradition, so follow your own practice or your priest's guidance.

What to consider before you enquire

Nandi should look proportionate to the Shivling or Shiva murti he faces. Share the height and photographs of your existing murti so that the scale and finish can be matched. For temples, think about the distance from the shrine and whether Nandi will sit on a pedestal.