Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami
From the book “Sri Vraja-maṇḍala-parikramā”:
Śrī Kṛṣṇa happily played here throughout the day and night (eight praharas) with His most dear sakhās, like Dāma, Śrīdāma, Sudāma, Vasudāma, Stoka-kṛṣṇa, Kokila, Bhṛṅga, Ujjvala, Arjuna, Subala and Madhumaṅgala. The word āṭora means “to remain engaged in the pleasure of playing games for all eight praharas of the day (āṭho praharas)”. This place has therefore been named Āṭora.
Rajashekhara Dasa
From the book “Chaurasi-kosa Vraja Mandala Parikrama”:
On top of the hill called Atora Parvata, is a temple dedicated to Shrimati Lalita Devi. The word ‘atora’ refers to the ‘balcony’ (atari) that formed part of the old ruins of Lalita’s paternal home. Some people refer to this place as Lalita-sthali. Some say that this is the actual site of her birth while others say it is the place where she performed her childhood pastimes. One can see in this temple alongside the Deities of Radha and Krishna, the Deity of Lalita-sakhi, who is seen standing in a serving mood at the right hand of Krishna.
