Chilkur Balaji Temple
Hyderabad, India
Believed to be around 500 years old, Hyderabad’s Chilkur Balaji Temple is a Hindu pilgrimage spot dedicated to Sri Venkateswara, a form of Lord Vishnu. It’s often busy with Hindu devotees, who come here to pray for success with visa applications. Travelers interested in Indian spirituality may enjoy visiting, even if their own visa applications have already been successful.
The basics
Despite its age and status as one of Telangana’s oldest temples, the Chilkur Balaji Temple doesn’t have many distinguishing architectural features that make it a must-visit attraction for international travelers. It contains some small colorful South Indian-style gopuram (towers) and gateways, but its main appeal lies in its spiritual significance. Many devotees circuit the temple 108 times for their prayers—normally for a US visa—to be fulfilled.
The temple is quite far out of Hyderabad so the best way to visit is with a private driver and car, or on a private guided tour. Such tours may also visit other outer-Hyderabad attractions, including Golconda Fort and the Qutub Shahi Tombs.
Things to know before you go
- Entry to the temple is free and, unlike many other temples, it doesn’t accept cash donations.
- Non-Hindus are normally allowed to enter temples in Telangana, but be respectful of worshippers and consider whether you really need to enter the most sacred inner spaces if you’re visiting as a tourist.
- There are some food stalls and simple restaurants near the temple but their quality is questionable. Bring snacks or plan to dine elsewhere.
How to get there
The temple is on the southwestern outskirts of Hyderabad, beside Osman Sagar lake, about an hour’s drive from the city. While it’s possible to get here from central Hyderabad by public transport, you’d need to change bus services, and the journey is slow and uncomfortable. Going with a private driver and car is preferable.
When to get there
The temple is open every day from early morning until late evening. Darshan (worship) is typically held for a few hours in the early morning, and then again for a few hours in the evening. The temple is busiest on Fridays and weekends, so avoid visiting then unless you're comfortable with crowds.
Visit the Mrugavani National Park
Consider combining a trip out to the Chilkur Balaji Temple with a visit to the nearby Mrugavani National Park, also called the Mrugavani Deer Park. Although it’s rather small for a national park, it contains hundreds of species of plants, as well as many spotted deer and cute chevrotains, or mouse deer, and other birds and animals.
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