Know About The 7 SIgnificant Hills That Lead To Lord Venkateswara's Temple In Tirupati

Add as a preferred source on Google

It is a common experience for a pilgrim to travel all the way up the long winding path of Tirumala mountain that takes him upwards to the Venkatadri where Lord Venkatesha stays in his magnificent form to bless the devotees. Located 3,200 feet above sea level in the Seshachalam hill range, it covers approximately an area of 10.33 square miles. During the ancient times, it was originally called Aadhi Varaha kshetra. The Varaha shrine present here is known to be more ancient than the main sanctum of Tirupati Balaji. Tirupati is one of the divya desams. The seven peaks are named as Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrushabadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri.

There is a particular rock formation that is found on the way to Tirupati hills in the second ghat road, which looks like a silhouette of the Lords face. A closer look confirms it as this face resembles the Venkateshwara idol's face in the temple on the Venkatadri hills in every nook and corner of it.

1.Vrushabadri Hill

Vrushabadri is the first hill. There lived in kruthayuga, a demon by name Vrushabhasura. He used to cut his head daily and offer it to Lord Shiva during worship. The head grew back into the same position by the grace of the Lord. So when Lord Shiva asked him to ask for any boon, he wished to have a duel with Shiva. Fight went on and finally Vrushabhasura was defeated and when he was on the verge of death, he asked Lord Shiva to name the mountain after him. So this hill was called Vrushabadri.

2. Garudadri Hill:

Garuthmantha killed his cousins and then prayed to Lord Vishnu to cleanse him off the sin of killing them. Vishnu was pleased by his prayers, and appeared before him. He asked Lord Vishnu to let him into the Vaikuntha to which Lord Vishnu replied that he should remain in the form of a hill, in order to be with the Lord, who would appear there as a self-manifested idol. Hence the hill is named as Garudadri.

3. Anjanadri Hill

Kesari, the king of Vanaras (monkeys),and his wife Anjani were childless for a long time. So Anjana travelled to a hill and settled near the Akash Ganga and performed penance for several years. Later Vayu presented her a fruit in the form of prasad after eating which she gave birth to Hanuman. As Anjana performed austerities on this hill, this hill came to be known as Anjanadri.

4. Seshadri Hill

Seshadri is the most significant peak amongst all the peaks. It is named after Adishesa, upon whom Lord Vishnu sleeps. During Dwapar yuga, when vayu visited Vaikunta he was stopped on his way by Adisesha as Lord Vishnu was taking rest. But Vayu was bent upon seeing Lord Vishnu and hence an argument started. Lord Vishnu personally tried to bring them round to senses but they would not listen. Finally Lord Vishnu gave the final verdict that He said that Adhisesha should assume the form of a hill and be known as Sheshachala or Seshadri, where the Lord is to stay till the end of Kaliyuga.

5. Neeladri Hill

Neeladevi was the first devotee who offered her hair to the Lord. So this hill was named as Neeladri. Lord Srinivas, developed a bald patch on his head when he was hit by a shepherd there. Neeladevi, the Gandharva Princess, unable to tolerate this, implanted a portion of her hair on Lords crown using her powers. Lord Srinivasa acknowledged her sacrifice and said that all the devotees hair offered here belongs to Neeladevi. This is why devotees offer their hair at Neeladri to Lord. This hair is collected in tons and sold by auction by the TTD.

6. Narayanadri Hill

Narayana Maharshi, intent on penancing to see Lord Vishnu, asked Lord Brahma to show him a suitable calm place to carry out his tapasya. He was shown a place to continue his penance.Lord Vishnu, pleased with the Maharshi's single minded devotion to him, appeared before him. Narayana Maharshi wished that the mountain should be known by his name and hence this hill was called Narayanadri. As per the names given by the devotees, it may also be called 'Gnanaadri' because it represents divine knowledge or/and Chintamani because it fulfils all the desires of devotees.

7. Venkatadri Hill

The seventh peak, which is on the top of the huge mountain, is referred to as Venkatadri where Lord Venkatachalapati resides to bless his ocean of devotees. It is towards the southern side of the banks of Swami Pushkarini. The magnificent 8 feet idol of Venkateshwara stands, majesty personified inside the sanctum sanctorum or Garbhagruha, in the centre, directly below a gold gilded dome known as Ananda Nilaya Divya Vimana. The deity Mulabera is self-manifested as per the legends that surround Tirupati.. Also, no human being has ever sculpted it nor installed the huge idol inside the shrine. The hill Venkatadri got its name from 'Ven' which means 'sin'. And 'Kata' which means that which burns. So Venkatadri implies that it is a place which will burn all the sins.

Disclaimer: The information is based on assumptions and information available on the internet and the accuracy or reliability is not guaranteed. Boldsky does not confirm any inputs or information related to the article and our only purpose is to deliver information. Kindly consult the concerned expert before practising or implementing any information and assumption.