Venkateswara, also known by various other names, is the Hindu god Vishnu. Venkateswara is the presiding deity of Tirumala Venkateswara Temple located in Tirupati, Sri Balaji District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Venkateswara literally means, "Lord of Venkata". The word is a combination of the words Venkata (the name of a hill in Andhra Pradesh) and isvara ("Lord"). According to the Brahmanda and Bhavishyottara Puranas, the word "Venkata" means "destroyer of sins", deriving from the Sanskrit words vem (sins) and kata (power of immunity). It is also said that 'Venkata' is a combination of two words: 'ven' (keeps away) and 'kata' (troubles). Venkata means he 'who keeps away troubles' or 'who takes away problems' or such terms in a similar context. Venkateswara, an avatar of Vishnu, is the presiding deity of the Tirupati temple. It is believed that the deity is Swayambhu (self manifested). The deity possesses the power of the Trimurti: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, and some sects believe that Venkateswara holds the power of Shakthi and Skanda as well. Sage Annamacharya praised Venkateswara as the 'Supreme Lord' who appears as Dattatreya for yogis, Shiva for Shaivas, and appears as whichever form the devotee desires.
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