Chilkur Balaji Temple, Hyderabad

Planning to go abroad since long, but the visa issue is just not getting fixed, is it? Have you walked your 3 circles saying your prayer at the 'visa temple' yet? On the banks of the Osman Sagar Lake, you will find a temple, you don't see everyday. The Chilkur Balaji temple houses the Visa Balaji or the Visa God, otherwise popular as a shining ray of hope and faith for US-Visa aspirants. It is believed that a visit to the temple, can grant the aspirants, a US Visa.

The belief finds its roots in an incident when a few students who had their Visa applications rejected, came and prayed here only to have their applications accepted and a much desired US Visa. The steps include a usual prayer and 3 rounds of pradakshina around the temple, followed by 108 rounds after getting the Visa. The temple is also different in the fact that it does not accept any money, donations or offer any privileges for VIPs, working on the belief and principle that in everyone is equal in god's eyes. 

 

Best time to visit Chilkur Balaji Temple : The time from March to June is extremely hot with temperature going beyond 40 degree celsius followed by rains till October that are though highly irregular but add humidity and dampness to the weather. It is best to visit Andhra between October to December as the weather is the most amicable during this period. When visiting Chilkur Balaji, try avoiding a weekend as weekends are particularly crowded with devotees coming in huge numbers to perform pradakshinas and there is mostly a long queue.

How to Reach Chilkur Balaji Temple

Air: Hyderabad Airport. The nearest airport is 20 kms away from Chilkur, states buses, taxies and cabs are available from there to Chilkur.

Rail: Himayat Nagar Railway Station Junction is 0kms away from Chilkur. The station is connected to some parts within the states.

Road: APSRTC runs buses from the major cities connecting Mehdipatnam, which is the nearest bus stand. The bus service is frequent, with a bus coming in every 15 minutes. There are connecting buses from here to Chilkur. From the main town of Hyderabad, Chilkur is 42 kms away, it takes nearly an hour and a half to reach the temple. Chilkur is 83kms away from Bangalore and can be reached by taking the Bangalore- Hyderabad highway.

Getting Around Chilkur Balaji Temple

There are variety of options to choose from, from the luxurious multi star hotels to the pocket friendly budget inns. Gachibowli has a whole lot of hotels, even if you go without a prior reservation, you will find something suiting your demand after negotiation here.

ItineraryThe temple is best visited on a trip to Hyderabad, for its uniqueness not only in its tales and name, but also in the values and principles it upholds. 

Did you know : Chilkur Balaji is the only temple in India which has continued to stay out of government control and which does not accept any donations in terms of money from its devotees. It is also popularly known as the 'visa temple' because many devotees here come with the wish of obtaining a visa for going abroad.