US Visa Temples: Last Hope For H-1B Applicants?

With growing uncertainties over US visas, the Indian community is looking for a miracle to bring them some relief. And this is what temples are offering to NRIs and aspirants as faith becomes the ultimate resolution to their worries.

After getting his H-1B visa approved, Ashok Sundar recently visited the Chilkur Balaji temple near Hyderabad to thank the “visa god” who he believed answered his prayers. He is not alone either as many people like him are turning to temples like Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Delhi, praying for a US visa.

In Ahmedabad, people visit the ‘Visa Hanuman’ temple and conduct their unique prayers. The local priest, Pujari Vijay Bhatt asks the person to present his passport to Lord Hanuman and repeat the Hanuman Chalisa after him in order to get visas.

The sacrifices from applicants go to another level in Delhi. People are claiming their wishes for a US visa came true after they fasted for 41 days and prayed in Shree Siddhi Peeth Hanuman Temple.

Similarly, an Andhra aspirant confesses that her spirits were broken after Trump’s return to power. However, she is positive her 25 visits to the Hyderabad Temple in the last 25 months will yield positive results.

Whether you call it superstition or faith, amidst these troubling times, these places of worship have become the last beacon of hope for the community.