nandi

Nandi is a term that can refer to multiple things across cultures. In Hinduism, Nandi is the sacred bull that serves as the mount and gate guardian of the god Shiva. Statues of Nandi appear at many Shiva temples, often positioned to face the main sanctum. Nandi figures are symbols of strength, faith, and fertility, and the animal is associated with mountains and pastoral life in Hindu art and myth.

Nandi may also refer to the Nandi people, an ethnic group in western Kenya who are part of the larger Kalenjin community. They traditionally live in what is now Nandi County, and they speak the Nandi language, a Nilotic language related to other Kalenjin languages such as Keiyo and Marakwet. The Nandi have a history of cattle herding and agriculture; Koitalel arap Samoei is remembered as a leader who resisted colonial intrusion in the early 20th century. Nandi County, named after the people, is an administrative region in the Rift Valley with Kapsabet as its capital; its economy centers on agriculture, dairy, and horticulture.

Nandi Hills, also called Nandi Betta, is a hill station in Karnataka, India, located north of Bengaluru. The site is a popular weekend destination noted for its cool climate, scenic views, and a hill fortress and temple ruins at the summit, which attract tourists and pilgrims.