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Crystal Wu

Indian devotees believe the Chilkur Balaji temple in the southern city of Hyderabad has been particularly effective in blessing people with a successful US visa application, so much so that it is locally known as the “visa temple”.
More than 1,000 Hindu worshippers visit the temple every day for a chance to live the American dream, chanting the visa god’s name “Govinda” while circling the temple.


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Hindu worshippers in India throng ‘visa temple’ to pray for successful path to the US

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Satshya Anna Tharien, a Malayali Christian, married Akash Narang, a Punjabi Hindu, under India’s Special Marriage Act. Photo: YouTube/@SatshyaTharien

A lavish wedding held at Bangalore Palace in 2016. More Indian couples have been opting for simple civil ceremonies in recent years. Photo: Janardhana Reddy family/Handout via AFP

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Satshya Anna Tharien (right), a Malayali Christian, married Akash Narang (left), a Punjabi Hindu, under India’s Special Marriage Act in 2022. Photo: YouTube/@SatshyaTharien

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Asia

South Asia

In southern India, a Hindu temple is proving popular with worshippers for its alleged ability to help people get a US visa


In southern India, a Hindu temple is proving popular with worshippers for its alleged ability to help people get a US visa.


Video | Hindu worshippers in India throng ‘visa temple’ to pray for successful path to the US

In southern India, a Hindu temple is proving popular with worshippers for its alleged ability to help people get a US visa