Carved into the hillside about two-thirds of the way up the 1,000 steps, this 5-metre-tall bull is one of the finest Nandi sculptures in South India. Nandi is Shiva's vehicle and devotee, and large seated Nandi figures always face toward the Shiva or Shakti temple they serve — this one has had its eyes fixed on the Chamundeshwari temple at the summit since the 17th century. The sculpture is powerful in its simplicity: a massive, polished black form with remarkably detailed bell, garland, and facial features for its scale.
The Nandi sits in a small mandapa (pavilion) where a priest is often present to apply tilak to the forehead and offer blessings. The steps approaching the bull are lined with vendors selling offerings. If you walk the steps down from the summit rather than taking the road, passing the Nandi is a natural rest stop — find a flat stone nearby, sit for a few minutes, and watch the steady stream of pilgrims file past.