Nandi

myminifactory

This is a depiction of Nandi, the sacred bull-calf. In Sanskrit, Nandi translates to "joyfulness" or "blissfulness," reflecting the emotions experienced by devotees in the presence of Lord Shiva. Temples dedicated to Shiva, the Hindu lord of creation and destruction, are found throughout the Indian subcontinent. A crucial element in any Shiva temple is the image of Nandi, which occupies a central position, drawing the attention of faithful worshippers from the outer halls directly into the spiritual heart of the temple, the garbhagrha (womb chamber). Large-scale images of Nandi were typically housed in pillared halls (mandapas), freestanding structures that allowed Nandi to face directly into the eastern porch of the linga sanctuary. This placement emphasized Nandi's close relationship with Shiva. As a symbol of religious duty (dharma), Nandi is first worshipped by devotees before paying homage to Shiva himself in the temple sanctuary. Depicted as a bull-calf, Nandi is always shown couchant. Processional Nandis, represented standing, are often constructed from wood and painted or covered in sheet silver, depending on the wealth of the temple. This object can be found in South-East Asia, Room 47b, case EXP. It is part of "Scan The World," a non-profit initiative that creates a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for public access. Scan The World is an open-source community effort; interested individuals can contribute by emailing stw@myminifactory.com. This object is courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.