TIRUMALA - The Sapthagiri Kshethra

Why Tirumala is called Sapthagiri Kshethra? 

Giri; Achala; Adri; Parvatha means hill. Tirumala kshethra the sacred abode of Lord Venkateswara is located in the midst of a group of seven sacred hills called Sapthagiri. Popularly they are...

‪Seshaachala (Seshaadri) named after the 1000 headed divine serpent God Aadisesha.

In Sri Venkatesha Stothram (Brahmanda Purana) we find Lord Venkateswara eulogized as "Seshadri patih eva cha" meaning the one who is the Lord of Seshadri Hills (Lord of AadiSesha) on the top of which Lord Sriinivaasa is eternally stationed.

Tirumala hills the abode of Lord Venkateswara is said to be manifestation of AadiSesha. That's why it is also called as Seshaachala. From a distance Tirumala hills appear in a serpentine form.

How AadiSesha got manifested as Seshachala Parvatha and how he was brought down by Lord Vaayu? the relevant Bhagawad Leela; one can find reference with anecdote in Brahma Purananthargatha Sri Venkatachala Mahatmya.

‪Garudaachala (Garudaadri) named after the divine king of birds Garuda (Garuttmantha);

‪Venkataachala (Venkataadri); Ve~m means sins; Kata means to burn down; Venkata means the one that burns down the sins; has power to destroy the sins. Venkata also means the one that is a treasure of divine knowledge (moksha jnaana); bestows moksha (salvation).

‪Naaraayanaachala (Naaraayanaadri) named after great devotee of Lord Venkateswara; by name Naaraayana.

‪‎Vrushabhaachala (Vrushabhaadri) named after a Raakshasa by name Vrushabhaasura who got slained at the hands of Lord Venkateswara.

‪Anjanaachala (Anjanaadri) named after Anjanaadevi the divine mother of Lord Hanuman who (she) performed great penance at this place.

‪‎Vrushaachala (Vrushaadri) named after Yamadharmaraaja; lord of Dharma who did penance at this place.

‪‎Tirumala… In ancient days Tirumala Kshethra was popularly called as Seshachala; Venkatachala or Venkatadri, but in recent times it is popularly referred as Tirumala Kshethra. Tiru is a tamil word that means addressing respectfully; which is sacred, auspicious; Sri (Goddess Lakshmi) and Mala means a hill. Tirumala means the hill which is sacred, auspicious, the abode of Lakshmipathi (consort of Goddess Lakshmidevi) Lord Srinivaasa.

Sri Krushnaarpanamasthu