The authors report the formation of vortices in a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) of $^{87}$Rb atoms when the condensate is stirred by a focused laser beam, creating a slight rotating anisotropy. They observe the formation of single and multiple vortices at rotation frequencies exceeding a critical value. The critical frequency for vortex formation is determined, and the metastability of the vortex states is analyzed. The study also investigates the stability of the vortex states after the rotation is stopped, finding that the vortex state relaxes to a non-vortex state with a characteristic lifetime of 400 to 1000 ms. The experimental setup and methods are described in detail, including the use of a magnetic trap and a laser beam to create the rotating anisotropy. The findings provide insights into the superfluid properties of BECs and the dynamics of vortex nucleation and decay.The authors report the formation of vortices in a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) of $^{87}$Rb atoms when the condensate is stirred by a focused laser beam, creating a slight rotating anisotropy. They observe the formation of single and multiple vortices at rotation frequencies exceeding a critical value. The critical frequency for vortex formation is determined, and the metastability of the vortex states is analyzed. The study also investigates the stability of the vortex states after the rotation is stopped, finding that the vortex state relaxes to a non-vortex state with a characteristic lifetime of 400 to 1000 ms. The experimental setup and methods are described in detail, including the use of a magnetic trap and a laser beam to create the rotating anisotropy. The findings provide insights into the superfluid properties of BECs and the dynamics of vortex nucleation and decay.