This Vishnu temple of Puranic fame is situated amid thick forests of teak, sandalwood and other valuable trees on top of the Biligiri Ranga Hills at an altitude of 1566 metres. Known as Swetachalam, the picturesque hill and the various Theerthas are held as sacred as those of Tirumala. Sage Vasishta and his wife had worshipped the Lord here for being blessed with a progeny. They got Shakti as their son, followed by Parasara, Vyasa and Suga as the illustrious lineage.