Before applying for a visa, especially to work in the US, Indians visit famous temples to seek the support of the gods.
Immigrating to the US has long been seen as a status symbol for many Indians. However, under President Trump, this ambition has become more difficult as the visa application process has been tightened.
Trump supporters also disagree about the H-1B visa program, which allows software engineers and skilled workers to work in the US. More than half of H-1B visa recipients come from India. Therefore, many Indians turn to sacred temples to make their visa applications easier.
Here are 6 sacred temples for Indian visa applications suggested by CN Traveller.
Chilkur Balaji, Hyderabad
Located on the banks of Osman Sagar Lake in Telangana, the 17th-century temple is affectionately known as the “Visa Balaji Temple”. The story begins in the 1980s when a group of software engineers visited this Balaji temple and their US visa applications were approved quickly.
Since then, the temple has become a popular spot for visa seekers due to its incredible success rate. Around 100,000 devotees visit the temple every day, especially on weekends.
Chamatkarik Shree Hanumanji Mandir, Ahmedabad
The small temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman in Khadia, Ahmedabad, welcomes hundreds of people who come to pray for visas every day. The deity “Visa Hanuman” is believed to have the ability to perform miracles to help visa applications succeed. The priests at the temple perform special rituals to bless visa seekers and in return, they must pray fervently to Lord Hanuman in Khadia to make their travel dreams come true.
Shaheed Baba Nihal Singh Gurudwara, Talhan
The nearly 150-year-old temple in Talhan, Jalandhar is a popular destination for students, workers and families wishing to cross the Indian border. On the roof of the temple there is also a large model airplane, which has become a symbol of belief in successful overseas travel.
While most temples require offerings of flowers or food, Gurudwara Shaheed Baba Nihal Singh is filled with toy planes – an offering that will please the “visa gods”. Visitors can easily buy toy planes at the shops outside the temple.
Chamatkari Visa Wale Hanuman Mandir, Delhi
The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman or Bajrangbali, the monkey god in Hindu mythology. Established in 2007, Chamatkari Visa Wale Hanuman Mandir has quickly become a destination for those wishing to travel abroad – as its name suggests: the magical Hanuman Temple that issues visas.
Pilgrims from all over India write their wishes on a piece of paper in red ink and offer it to Lord Hanuman. Those whose visas are approved return to the temple to write their thanks in a special book maintained for the purpose. Most visitors bring their birth charts – a form of horoscope – to see if their destiny allows them to travel abroad.
Pracheen Hanuman Mandir, Delhi
Delhi residents also visit another “visa temple” located on Baba Kharak Singh Marg in Connaught Place. Pracheen Hanuman Mandir is one of the oldest and most famous temples in the city. As such, it attracts a large number of devotees, many of whom come to pray for a successful visa application.
Interestingly, the VFS Global application centre is less than 100 metres from the temple, making Pracheen Hanuman Mandir a popular and convenient destination for those worried about their visa application.
Sri Lakshmi Visa Ganapathy Temple, Chennai
The temple is dedicated to Ganesha, the Hindu god of new beginnings, and is located about 10 km from the US embassy in the state. It attracts visa seekers from all over the country. They come here with their passports in one hand and incense sticks in the other.
It all started when a few local devotees at the Sri Lakshmi Visa Ganapathy Temple got their visas approved. News of their successful application spread quickly, gradually making the temple a popular place for visa prayers. The temple’s official website also details specific rituals designed to help visa seekers prepare for the nerve-wracking interviews.
