Nandin is a Hindu deity also called Nandi. He is the holy calf, bull, gatekeeper and vahana (vehicle) of Shiva, the Hindu God. Nandin is the son of Surabhi and sage Kasyapa, as stated in the Vayu Purana. Nandin is all decorated with ornaments and is the gatekeeper of Lord Shiva. Not only is Nandin the vehicle or Shiva, but is also the leader of the gods attendants, provides music to Shiva, as he performs the cosmic dance of creation, called the tandava.
As stated in the Brhaddharma Purana, Airavata the elephant God owned by Indra, is killed by Nandi upon orders given by Lord Shiva. Unfortunately, God Ganesha had lost his head in an accident and the job of finding a head as replacement for him was given to Nandi. Displeased, Indra threw projectiles at Nandi to prevent him from finding a head. Nandi with his hard as rock body, stood hard as a rock and lopped off the Airavata’s head and fixed it on Lord Ganesha’s body. Nandin’s handiwork pleased Shiva immensely.
Statues of Nandin sitting in front of the temple on a plinth are seen in many Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Worshippers dress Nandin the bull with clappers, bells and a flower necklace. Many of the Hindu paintings depict Nandin in pure white skin and ridden by Lord Shiva. In Gandhara, the Kushanas minted gold coins in the 1st-2nd century with the image of Lord Shiva.
The word Nandin is derived from Nandhu, a Tamil root word meaning flourishing or growing of Nandi the divine bull as well as white bulls. Nandin also means satisfaction, happiness and properties of Shiva-Nandi, the divine guardian.
