Chandrababu and his associates have once again been caught spreading falsehoods about the sacred Seven Hills of Tirumala. With video evidence now available, his lies stand exposed. Chandrababu has been accusing former Chief Minister Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR) of reducing the Seven Hills to just two hills. However, the truth is that it was YSR who officially recognized Tirumala as the sacred abode of the Seven Hills through government orders. It was also YSR who issued GOs prohibiting the propagation of other religions within the Tirumala limits. Chandrababu, on the other hand, had earlier promised to revoke those GOs in pursuit of Christian votes. Y.S. Jagan recently presented video evidence and documentary proof of Chandrababu’s statements during a press conference.
For his selfish political gains, Chandrababu has not hesitated to drag even Lord Venkateswara into political controversy. Chandrababu and his camp routinely manufacture disputes around Tirumala to serve their political agenda. As part of this, they falsely claim that YSR attempted to restrict Tirumala to only two hills. They also spread propaganda that YSR encouraged non-Hindu religious activities in Tirumala. The facts, however, clearly show that it was YSR who formally recognized the Seven Hills and prohibited non-Hindu religious propagation in the Tirumala region. Despite these documented facts, Chandrababu, coalition leaders, and certain sections of the media continue their misinformation campaign.
Facts Regarding the Seven Hills
The allegation that YSR limited Tirumala to 10 1/3 square miles and reduced the Seven Hills to two is completely false.
The area of Tirumala village—10 1/3 square miles—dates back to British rule in 1870. The boundaries of Tirumala village were defined during that period. YSR did not reduce the boundaries, nor did he convert Seven Hills into two.
The British authorities handed over 10 1/3 square miles (27.5 sq. km) to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). Government Order No. 1784 dated 01-11-1965 officially confirmed this extent as Tirumala village. GO No. 1605 dated 02-12-1975 (Revenue Department) reiterates the same.
The Challa Kondaiah Commission, appointed by the N.T. Rama Rao government in 1986, also confirmed that the 10 1/3 square mile area around the temple constitutes the Tirumala kshetram. This has been consistent government policy for decades. TTD Rule 196 (1990) also affirms this position. As per GO No. 311 dated 09-04-1990, the 10 1/3 square miles are exclusively under TTD control.
Government Orders Issued by YSR
On September 26, 2005, YSR’s government issued GO No. 338. According to this order, there would be no panchayat elections in Tirumala village and no political activities permitted. This decision was taken to protect the sanctity of Tirumala. It did not reduce the extent of Tirumala, nor did it alter the Seven Hills.
On June 2, 2007, YSR issued GO No. 746. Through this GO, for the first time in history, the government officially declared that the 332 sq. km area around Tirumala—including the Seven Hills of Seshadri, Narayanadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Venkatadri, and Vrushabhadri—constitutes the sacred region belonging to Lord Venkateswara. This was a historic milestone.
On the same day, GO No. 747 was issued prohibiting the propagation of other religions within Tirumala limits. Another GO extended this prohibition to the surroundings of 19 major temples across the state.
Chandrababu’s Promise to Revoke YSR’s GOs
Tirumala stands as a prime example of Chandrababu’s political opportunism. While YSR issued GOs banning non-Hindu religious propagation within the Seven Hills region, Chandrababu, in pursuit of Christian votes, publicly promised to revoke GOs 746 and 747. Video evidence from a Bible meeting near Chinakakani, close to Guntur, shows Chandrababu making this assurance.
In 2009, Chandrababu stated:
“Two GOs—746 and 747—were issued. During my tenure as Chief Minister, there was no need for such GOs. After this government came to power, these GOs were issued. The Telugu Desam Party opposes them. Once we come to power, we will revoke both GOs.”
Yet today, the same Chandrababu sheds crocodile tears claiming Tirumala’s sanctity is under threat. People are clearly observing this double standard. It has once again been proven that Chandrababu will politicize anything—even the Lord himself—for electoral gains.
Pawan Kalyan’s Remark (February 5, 2026)
Pawan Kalyan recently stated, “The thinking that Seven Hills are enough with just two hills shows how low some people can stoop.”
However, documented government records clearly show that the official recognition and protection of the Seven Hills were strengthened during YSR’s tenure, not diminished.
