THE LORD’S MANIFESTATION AT TIRUMALA

There are two well known legends which explain the reson for Srinivasa,s presence on thi hill.
Once, Vishnu wanted to have a charge from his usual abode in Vaikuntha. He asked Narada to suggest a place on hti earth which would be suitable for diversion and sport. Narada suggest the neighbourhood of the place where Seshachala came to be located, later on. Subsequnly, Vayu and Sesha disputed their relative strength and entered into a serious dispute. Sesha wound his long body round a part of Meru and challenged VAyu to move it. Vayu did his best to shake the hillock but could not. Ultimately, Sesha pened his mouth to breathe and taking advantage of it, Vayu entered his body an d blew off part of the hill After the hill had travelled a long distance, Meru interfered and requested VAyu to leave it there and the latter did so. Ashamed of his defeat, Sesha did penance thinking of Vishnu. Vishnu appeared before him and offered a boon. Sesha, assuming the shape of a hill, requested the Lord to stay on his head, wanted the hill ti be known as Seshachala. Vishnu throught of Narada’s suggestion made previously and agreed to live on Seshachala. This story is found in the Brahmapurana.