Venkateshwara (Venkateshwar or Venkatachalapathi) is a form of
Lord Vishnu, a popular Hindu deity. Also known as Balaji or Bithala, he has four hands and is dark complexioned. He holds a discus (a symbol of power) and a conch shell (a symbol of existence), in his two upper hands. His lower hands are seen extended downward, exhorting the devotees to have faith and surrender to him for protection.
