Nava Nandi book wins A.P. Tourism Award for writing excellence

Nandyal-based author M. Lahari’s book Nava Nandi on the prominence of Nandyal town and the nine Nandi temples surrounding it won the Andhra Pradesh State Annual Tourism Award for Excellence 2025-26 in the Best Excellence in Writing/Publication category.

According to Ms. Lahari, Nandyal derived its name from Nandi (bull) and Alayam (temple). The town is situated amid the temples of the Nava Nandis (the Nine Nandis). “Nandyal is a place blessed with nine magnificent Nandi temples. It is a great fortune to be born here, to walk on this soil, and to breathe this air. Nandyal is the only place in the entire world that houses Nava Nandi temples,” she said.

She said it was her resolve to bring more prominence to the town and the significance of the Nava Nandis to the world. “The aim is to show that Rayalaseema, often portrayed in movies as a land of feuds and animosity, is actually the birthplace of Nandishwara, a symbol of unwavering devotion and meditation. It is also to share the glory of the Nava Nandi temples, which are influenced by the Navagrahas (the nine celestial bodies),” she said.

“It took two years to compile reports from relevant government departments and produce this book, which aims to showcase the engineering brilliance behind the centuries-old Mahanandi temple tank — specifically how the water level remains constant and why the water is so crystal clear,” she explained.

The book was written with help from Gomathi Gowda, the author of Ahobilam – The Sacred Abode of The Nava Narasimha, artist Lenin, and others. Historical information regarding the Mahanandi temple was provided by Pandit Ravi Shankar Swamy of Mahanandi. Prominent locals from Nandyal region, including Bhargavardhan, Karthiki, Gelivi Ramakrishna, Palla Nagaraju, Yalukuru Suresh, and Kolli Venu also supported Ms. Lahari to write the book.

The book was published in December 2025. Nandyal INTACH chapter convenor M.V. Shivkumar Reddy received the award from Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh at a function held in Rajamahendravam on the occasion of World Tourism Day on Sunday.