Monument

Monolithic Bull (Nandi)

A giant monolithic Nandi in a twin-storeyed pavilion, marking the east end of Hampi Bazaar.

Open

6:00 am – 6:00 pm

Entry

Free entry

Best time to go

Evening

Time to spend here

About 35 minutes

Crowds

Can get busy

The starting point for the climb to Matanga Hill; lovely light in the early morning and at sunset.

Before you go

9 min walk in

590 m from where cars stop

Toilets 480 m away

Straight-line distance

Drinking water 540 m away

Straight-line distance

Listen to the story

About this place

At the eastern end of the long Hampi (Virupaksha) Bazaar sits Yeduru Basavanna, a massive monolithic Nandi carved from a single boulder and sheltered in a twin-storeyed stone pavilion raised on a platform. The bull — Shiva's mount and gatekeeper — faces west down the kilometre-long market street towards the Virupaksha Temple, so that god and vehicle gaze at one another across the ruins. Though weathered and partly damaged, its sheer scale makes it one of Hampi's most-photographed monuments, backed by a dramatic heap of giant boulders. Steps beside the pavilion climb towards Matanga Hill and Achyutaraya Temple.

How to get there

Parking: Hampi Bazaar vehicle area
590 m walk · about 9 min

Drive or take an auto to the Hampi Bazaar vehicle area
This is as far as a private vehicle can go.
Directions to the parking
Walk 590 m to Monolithic Bull (Nandi)
About 9 min on foot, along the path drawn on the map.
Walking route from the parking
Arrive at Monolithic Bull (Nandi)