Plan your sacred journey to the Grand Temples of South India
The Visa Temple at Chilkur Balaji: How the 11 and 108 Rounds Work
Students, job seekers and their parents visit Chilkur Balaji on the edge of Hyderabad to pray for a visa, a custom that gave it the name Visa Balaji. Devotees believe a wish made with 11 rounds of the shrine is answered, and they come back to walk 108 rounds in thanks.
What happens
- Join the common line for darshan. Every devotee waits in the same line, because the temple gives no VIP privileges.
- Make your wish and walk 11 rounds (pradakshinas) of the inner shrine. Devotees chant hymns as they walk.
- If the wish comes true, return and walk 108 rounds of the sanctum as thanks. This is a vow made in faith, not a promise of any result.
Sources: tribuneindia.com, en.wikipedia.org · checked 30 Oct 2026
Where families go
- Timings and guide
Chilkur Balaji Temple
Chilkur
This Venkateswara temple is where the 11 and 108 round visa vow is kept, and it is widely known as Visa Balaji.
Other places families use
- Sri Lakshmi Visa Ganapathy Temple, Chennai (Tamil Nadu): A Ganesh temple a few miles north of Chennai airport where visa applicants pray before interviews, and some ask the priest to place their papers at the deity's feet.
Sources: khaleejtimes.com · checked 30 Oct 2026
When to go
The sources we opened name no fixed day for the rounds, and the opening hours are not confirmed by the temple or a government source. Check locally before you go.
Before you go
- Good to knowThere is nothing to pay. The temple keeps no hundi and does not accept money from devotees.
- BookingThere is no VIP or paid darshan to buy. We found no official booking channel for darshan or the rounds; not confirmed, so check with the temple.
- Good to knowFrom Hyderabad, take a bus to Mehdipatnam and then bus 288D to Chilkur, or go by road. The nearest railway station is Budvel.
Rituals, fees and timings are set by each temple. Where the temple sells a seva or ticket, book it only on its official channel.
Sources: tribuneindia.com, rangareddy.telangana.gov.in · checked 30 Oct 2026
Questions Families Ask
Which is the visa temple in Hyderabad?
Chilkur Balaji, a Venkateswara temple on the edge of Hyderabad, often called Visa Balaji. Devotees make a wish with 11 rounds of the inner shrine and return for 108 rounds if it comes true.
Is there a visa temple in Chennai?
Yes. The Sri Lakshmi Visa Ganapathy Temple, a Ganesh temple a few miles north of Chennai airport, draws visa applicants. Chilkur Balaji, the best known visa temple, is near Hyderabad in Telangana.
What are the Chilkur Balaji pradakshina days and timings?
The sources we opened name no fixed day for the rounds, and opening hours are not confirmed by the temple or a government source. Check locally before you go.
What is Chilkur Balaji temple famous for?
The visa wish custom of 11 rounds to pray and 108 to give thanks. It is also known for keeping no hundi, taking no money from devotees and giving no VIP privileges.
How do I reach Chilkur Balaji from Hyderabad?
Take a bus to Mehdipatnam, then bus 288D to Chilkur. The nearest railway station is Budvel. The district page gives the distance as 25 to 32 km.
Plan your trip for Visa prayer at Chilkur Balaji
Opens with this temple already added. See each day with darshan hours, drive times and rough costs.
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