4 Names of Venkatachalam
Bhavishyottara Purana gives the four names of Venkatachalam. It was mentioned there that for the same hill, different names were given in each Yuga respectively-
- in Krita Yuga, it was called ‘Vrishabhachalam’,
- in Treta Yuga it was called ‘Anjanaachalam’,
- in DwaparaYuga it was called ‘Seshachalam’ and
- in Kali Yuga, it is called ‘Venkatachalam’.
The Purana explains the reason behind the hill attaining that particular name in that particular Yuga. In Varaha Purana, for the same Venkatachalam, many names were listed and at the same time, the significance and reason behind the names were also given.
Chintamani
As the hill has the power to bestow boons and fulfil the devotees’ wishes, it has this name.
Gnanachalam
As Knowledge is gained by those who do penance and sadhana on this hill, it has this name.
Theerthachalam
As the hill has 66 crores of theerthams of which 108 are great ones, 64 are greater ones and 8 are the greatest – all of which are highly powerful, it has got this name.
Pushkaradri
As there is a Pushkarini which has the presence of all the sarovarams of the Universe and the special presence of Devi Saraswati, it has got this name.
Vrishadri
Vrisha means Yamadharmaraja – who performed severe penance on the hill and received boons from Lord Srinivasa, so it has got this name ( Vrishabhadri is yet another name).
Kanakachalam
Meru Mountain’s son is Ananda and Sesha arrived here winding around Ananda mountain. The Lord had decided to make him his abode. Meru is a golden mountain and his son Ananda too is one golden mountain. Hence the hill got this name as Kanaka means gold.
Narayanadri
As one learned scholar by the name of Narayana attained liberation on this hill, it has got this name.
Brahmanda Purana – Narayanadri
One Brahmin by the name of Narayana did severe penance for Lord Srimannarayana on the banks of the sacred Swami Pushkarini. Pleased by his penance Lord Narayana appeared before him and asked him to seek a boon.
“O Lord because of my highest fortune you have appeared to me. My name is Narayana and I have gone around Bhooloka trying to find you. I was able to make Brahma appear and at his behest I came to this hill and did penance to make you appear before me.
This kind of penance ordinary mortals cannot do, so to bless and grace everybody and bestow boons, you have to come and reside on the banks of Swami Pushkarini along with your consort Sri Mahalakshmi and your retinue of Adi Sesha, Garuda, Vishvaksena who constantly worship you. And this hill must become renowned through my name!”
Lord Srinivasa gave him the boon by pronouncing “Thathaasthu”. “Whoever it might be – a brahmana, Vysya, Kshatriya or sudra- ( a brahmin or a trader, a warrior or menial worker ), whether a meritorious one or a sinner if they worship me here after bathing in Swami Pushkarini, I will bless them with the boon to reside in Swarga till the time of final delusion, the apocalypse.
I will bestow liberation on them. From this day onwards these hills will be known by your name as “Narayanadri“ and will become renowned”- so saying Lord Srinivasa gave that Brahmin the final emancipation leading to the state of Sayujyam.
Vaikuntachalam
It was said that along with Lord Srinivasa, Vaikuntha itself has reached here, as Garuda at the behest of Lord Narayana has brought it to this hill. Thus, this hill attained the name of Vaikuntachalam.
Anjanachalam
Since Anjanadevi did penance on this hill, and also as Anjaneya was born here, this hill got the name Anjanachalam.
Varahachalam
As Lord Varaha made this his abode, it has got the name Varahachalam.
Neelagiri / Neelachalam
In Treta yuga, during the time of Rama avatar, a great vanara (kapi) by name Neela did penance on these hills and was bestowed boonsso these hills got the name Neelagiri. And, there is another story behind this. Neeladevi was one of the eight reigning queens of Lord Krishna. She got married to Lord Krishna twice – at the age of nine as a bala brahmacharini ( young celibate) and later as the daughter of Agnijith.
Neeladevi, did great penance at Kumara kshetra on Venkatachalam wanting only the Lord himself as her husband. She knew the power of the hill, the power of the theerthams there, the glory and greatness of the Lord – so by contemplating on the auspicious qualities of the Lord who was there in both the forms of Varaha Swamy and Lord Srinivasa, she worshipped the Lord very devoutly- so she became one of the eight consorts of Lord Krishna. Hence the hill is called as Neelachalam.
Anandagiri
Since this hill gives joy to all, it is called Anandagiri. Not only that, the Lord resides on Ananda, the son of Meru mountain-hence the name Anandagiri or Anandaadri. When the Lord ordered Garuda to bring Vaikuntham, he got it along with the vimanam (the gopuram) and King Shankaraju witnessed it and while constructing the gopuram of the temple, he brought the same shape to it.
Since Vaikuntha vimana’s name is Ananda, the temple gopuram too got that very name – Anandanilayam and the hill too got the name Anandagiri. All this has been written in Puranas.
Srisailam, Srichalam
Since Goddess Lakshmi Devi’s presence is there in a very significant way, it has got the names, Srisailam, Srigiri, Srichalam.
Srinivasagiri
Since Lord Srinivasa resides on this hill, it is also called Srinivasagiri.
Tirumala and Tirupati
In this manner, Varaha Puranam gives in detail, the names of Venkatachalam and their significance and the reason behind those names. Today the names we use like Tirumala-Tirupati were not used in the Puranas.
In the later times when the Alwars praised the Lord these words became popular because, Tiru means Sri, meaning Lakshmi and the Lord also. Since it is the abode of Lakshmipati (the consort of Lakshmi Devi) it is called Tirupati.
The hill on which Lord Srinivasa resides is Srimala meaning Tirumala as malai means a hill/mountain. For ages, this Venkatachalam has attained different names, each one quite befitting.
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