Sapthagiri

For the magazine, see Sapthagiri (magazine). For the actor, see Saptagiri (actor).

Sapthagiri
Tirumlai Hills, Sapthagiri range
Highest point
Peak	Venkata
Elevation	853 m (2,799 ft)
Coordinates	13°40′59″N 79°20′49″E
Naming
Etymology	Seven Hills
Native name	సప్తగిరి (Telugu)
Geography
Sapthagiri Location in Andhra Pradesh Sapthagiri Sapthagiri (India)
Country	India
State	Andhra Pradesh
Rivers	Swarnamukhi
Settlement	Tirupati

Sapthagiri, also called Tirumala Hill, is a hill range situated in the hilly town of Tirumala, near Tirupati in the Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is 853 m above sea level and is about 10.33 square miles (27 km²) in area. It comprises seven summits, representing the seven heads of Adisesha, thus earning the name Seshachalam. The seven peaks are named Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrushabhadri, Narayanadri, and Venkatadri. The hill is famous for the renowned holy Hindu Venkateswara swamy temple. The temple is on Venkatadri (also known as Venkatachala or Venkata Hill), the seventh peak, and is also known as the "Temple of Seven Hills". The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Venkateswara, an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. Lord Venkateswara is known by other names: Balaji, Govinda, and Srinivasa. The temple lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini, a holy water tank. The temple complex comprises a traditional temple building, with a number of modern queue and pilgrim lodging sites.

Seven Hills

The seven hills, called as Saptagiri, represent the Saptarishi (seven sages) in Hindu mythology. Hence, one of the names of Shri Venkateshwara is Saptagirinivasa or Saptagirishwar. The following are the seven hills :

• Vrushabhadri – Hill named after an Asura Vrushabha who undertook tapa on Lord Srinivasa.
• Anjanadri – Hill named after Lord Hanuman. It is said that Hanuman's mother, Anjana Devi, did penance for 12 years here.
• Neeladri – Hill of Neela Devi. It is believed that hair offered by the devotees is accepted by Neela Devi, due to a boon granted to her by Lord Venkateshwara.
• Garudadri or Garudachalam – Hill of Garuda, the vahana of Lord Vishnu.
• Seshadri or Seshachalam – Hill of Shesha, the dasa of Lord Vishnu.
• Narayanadri – Hill named after the Lord Himself.
• Venkatadri – Hill of Lord Venkateshwara

See also

• Sacred mountains of India