Indian professionals have been flocking to Hindu temples believed to grant prayers for a US visa after Donald Trump signed a number of government orders geared toward making immigration to the US harder.
The frenzy for divine assist has been in proof at Chamatkari Hanuman temple – popularly referred to as “Visa Hanuman” – in Ahmedabad within the western state of Gujarat.
The temple priest Vijay Bhatt informed the Instances of India that visa candidates had been requested to put their passports earlier than Lord Hanuman, one of the beloved Hindu deities and identified for his monkey-like look, after which recite a devotional hymn.
“It’s all about religion,” he informed the paper. “If you happen to imagine, it should occur. If doubts creep in, disappointments observe.” He claimed to have witnessed cases the place devotees obtained approvals inside hours of performing rituals, even after a number of rejections.
Some travelled removed from different states, satisfied of the temple’s status for securing visa approvals, Bhatt stated.
Migration to the US has lengthy been a standing image for a lot of Indians. However Trump has put such ambitions unsure, demanding more durable visa vetting procedures.
Nonetheless, there’s a break up amongst a few of Trump’s greatest backers over the flagship H-1B visa programme, which permits software program engineers and different expert employees to work within the US. No less than two-thirds of H-1B recipients come from India.
The row has pitted expertise trade supporters akin to Elon Musk in opposition to immigration hardliners who need the scheme scrapped. Musk says the programme wants “main reform” but in addition that there’s not sufficient homegrown expertise to fill expert jobs.
At Hyderabad’s Chilkur Balaji temple – dubbed the “Visa God” shrine – aspiring immigrants have been chanting prayers, performing rituals and finishing 108 circumambulations barefoot, hoping for divine intervention.
Amongst them was a software program engineer from Hyderabad, set to begin a brand new job in New Jersey in April. He had obtained his H-1B visa approval, and now he was again to supply thanks. “Eleven of us utilized final 12 months, however I used to be the one one who bought it,” the engineer informed the Instances of India, asking to stay nameless.
One other software program engineer, Chandana, 26, who didn’t need her final identify used, stated she was dismayed when Trump received. She had been visiting the temple each month since making use of for a visa two years in the past. “I do know issues aren’t wanting vibrant proper now, however I’ve religion I’ll get it, similar to my family did,” she stated.
In Delhi’s Shree Siddhi Peeth Chamatkari Hanuman Mandir, candidates take their devotion even additional. “Many individuals surrender meat, alcohol, onion and garlic for 41 days hoping their visa can be granted,” stated Narayan Mishra, the temple priest.
Devotees write their needs on slips of paper, that are positioned earlier than the deity and chanted over earlier than being saved in a sacred field. “Individuals are available in a really disturbed mind-set. That is their final resort, and we often discover that their needs do come true,” Mishra stated.
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