The Sacred 7 Hills of Tirumala

Tirupati is the sacred place and lakhs of lord venkateswara's devotees visits every day. The seven hills or edu kondalu is very auspicious. Let we know about the greatness of seven hills.

Tirumala hills are known as edu kondalu or sapta girulu. Tirupati is 90 miles distant from Chennai. We can not describe its beauty in words. The Tirumala hills narrate their story.  According to Hindu Epics Varaha Purana, Padma Purana etc. Greatness of Tirumala is describes as below.

Once the Lord asked Sage Narada for a suitable place on Earth where He could abide during the difficult period of kaliyuga (The Iron Age, when people of Earth would forget Spiritual values) Sage Narada suggested a place, south of Bharat (India), by the banks of River Svarnamukhi. The Lord was pleased. Since the Lord was about to settle on Earth for the period that Kalyuga was to last, a part of Heaven was to be brought down. Hence Adhisesha decided to take the form of one of the 7 hills of Tirumala.

Garudadri

The White Boar Incarnation of the Lord had saved the Earth from the clutches of the demon Hiranyaaksha. Mother Earth was pleased with Her Lord and begged Him to live with Her. The Lord then asked Garuda, to bring down from Heaven a beautiful Hill. This Hill is called Garuraadri. It is believed that the Lord Varaha lives upon Tirumala upon the Western bank of Swami Pushkaarini till today. It is called Varaaha Pushkaarini. 

Vrishabhadri

There was a demon called Vrishaabasura, who had a very strange way of doing penance. He would offer his head along with a flower to the Lord. By God's Grace the severed head would join the body after every day's ritual. When Vrishaabha died he requested the Lord that a hill be called by his name in remembrance of the fact that he had lived and attained salvation on that hill. The Lord granted his wish and the hill is known as Vrishabaadri.

Anjanadri

Kesari was an Asura King. He did penance for many years to obtain a son who would be immortal. Lord Shiva appeared before him, and said:  "You are not fortunate enough to have an immortal son, but your wish will be fulfilled through your daughter". Kesari's daughter Anjani did penance for many years and was blessed with Hanuman as a son. Hanuman is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Hanuman received the boon of immortality from Mother Mahalakshmi Herself. Brahma named the hill after Anjani as Anjanaadri.

Neeladri

First devotee who gave her hair to god is Neeladevi. Lord Srinivasa named this hill by her name as Neeladri. When Lord Srinivasa was hit by a Shepard on his head, a small portion of his scalp becomes bald. There is no hair growth over that place and this was noticed by Gandharva princess, Neeladevi. She felt such a handsome face should not have any defect. Immediately she cuts a portion of her hair and implants it on his scalp with her powers. As hair is considered as the beautiful aspect of women, Lord Srinivasa notices her sacrifice and he said all the hair given to him by devotees in Tirupathi belongs to Neeladevi. Giving our hair to god is the symbol of leaving our ego. The word “Talanelalu” is also came from her name. Many devotees give their hair to Lord Balaji. The daily quantity of hair collected is over one ton. This hair is sold by the temple organization by auction.

Seshadri

The hill Seshaadri is the formation of Adhisesha himself. Adhisesha is the cobra on which Lord Vishnu reclines. There was an ego tussle for supremacy by Adhisesha and 'Vayu' (Wind). Vayu felt that he was as omnipresent as the Lord. As they both fought, Narada played some melodious notes. Adhisesha raised one of his hoods. Vayu seized the opportunity, and blew with such a force that Adhisesha fell like a meteor upon the earth. Now Vayu was not elated about his victory. He was in fact remorseful as he had deprived the Lord of His couch. Vayu asked Adhisesha to forgive him and to return to Heaven. The latter refused saying that whatever transpires is the will of the Lord. The Lord agreed. He said that Adhisesha would take the form of a hill, which would be called Sheshachala or Sheshaadri, in a place where He (The Lord) was to reside till the end of the Age of kali (Kalyug).

Venkatadri

The hill Venkatadri got its name form 'Ven' which in Sanskrit means 'sin'. And 'Kata' which means that which burns. So Venkatadri means a place which will burn all sins. Madhava, a sinner suffering from leprosy was cured as he joined pilgrims going to Tirumala on a pilgrimage. The pilgrims were singing 'Govinda Govinda!' as they moved on their way. These words were like magic to Madhava's soul. He felt a burning sensation and he realised that the dreaded disease had left him. Brahma, the Creator appeared before Madhava and said: "You are the cause for the people to know that whoever steps upon this hill with devotion, it will burn away all sins and imperfections! henceforth this hill will be called Venkataadri in your honour!"

Narayanadri

This hill is called Narayanaadri in honour of Narayanarishi. Many names were given to these hills by various devotees. Thus it may be called 'Gnanaadri' because it gives divine knowledge or/and Chitaamani because it fulfills devotees' desires