Devotees willing to go overseas visit 'visa god' temple in Hyderabad

A temple in Hyderabad is popular among people seeking higher study and job opportunities in foreign lands.

The deity of the Chilkur Balaji temple, popularly known as 'visa god', is believed to fulfill wishes of devotees willing to go overseas.

In the quest of visiting abroad, thousands of devotees from across the country visit the temple every week. Apart from offering prayers for visas, devotees also pray at the temple for clearing exams and marriage.

The temple has seen a number of success stories ever since it became popular in 2000, said temple priest Gopal Krishna.

"So many people got visas and things. Nearly 20 percent of children are doing circumambulations so to go to (United) States," he added.

Once their wishes are fulfilled, devotees make sure that they visit the temple to thank the deity and perform circumambulations around the temple.

"Recently I prayed for visa. On May 15 I got my visa. So I came here to take 108 circumambulations because God fulfilled my wish," said a student Snigdha, who will be visiting United States.

Another student from Chennai, Meenakshi, paid a visit to the temple after her brother got his dream job.

"I prayed for my brother. My brother works at CTS Chennai and he wanted visa. I came here and prayed for my brother and did 11 circumambulations (of the shrine). Not just me, brother and my parents also came. Now he has got the visa. This is the first time he got in lottery so we came here to complete 108 circumambulations," she said.

The temple does not accept any money in the form of tickets or donations. The only fee it charges is for parking from which the entire temple is run.