Nandi Cow at The British Museum, London

myminifactory

Nandi refers to a bull that serves as the mount of god Shiva in Hindu mythology. It also functions as the gatekeeper for Shiva and Parvati, protecting their entrance. In Hinduism, Nandi is considered the chief teacher of eighteen masters, including Patanjali and Thirumular, who have gained mastery over various spiritual disciplines. Temples dedicated to Shiva often display stone images of a seated Nandi facing towards the main shrine. There are also temples built solely in honor of Nandi. However, it's worth noting that the application of the name Nandi to the bull is a relatively recent development, as Gouriswar Bhattacharya documented in an article titled "Nandin and Vṛṣabha". Historically, the term Nandi was used to describe an anthropomorphic deity who served as one of Shiva's two doorkeepers. The other doorkeeper was Mahākāla. Images of these two figures are frequently found flanking the doorways of pre-tenth-century North Indian temples. In Kālidāsa's poem Kumārasambhava, Nandi is depicted in its role as Shiva's watchman. Various versions of a cow named Nandi can be found online, including one available for download on MyMiniFactory. The initiative "Scan The World" was launched by MyMiniFactory to create a digital archive of 3D printable sculptures and artworks from around the world. The project aims to provide free access to these digital models for the public. Anyone interested in contributing can email stw@myminifactory.com to learn more about how they can participate in this community-driven effort.