Chilkur Balaji Temple

Situated on the banks of the Osman Sagar Lake in the outskirts of Hyderabad, this temple is famously known as the Visa Balaji Temple. It is dedicated to an incarnation of the Hindu god known as Balaji, but is popularly christened ‘Visa God’, in the belief that the deity has the power to get international visas approved. According to local legend, the devotee has to visit the temple, perform rituals such as circling the inner shine 11 times and make a vow. If they get their visa, then they have to return, walk around the temple 108 times and fulfil their vow. It is estimated that around 75,000 to 1,00,000 people visit the temple every week. Interestingly, the temple does not accept any monetary donations.