Hyderabad:
Intervention at the highest level is required to put a brake on the free fall of the rupee. That is the wisdom that motivated devotees at Chilkur Balaji Temple on the outskirts of Hyderabad to conduct special prayers for a divine hand to stop the depreciation of the rupee against the dollar and also to save the common man from its adverse impact.
It was but natural that the special prayers should happen at this temple because it is almost like a forward linkage, to address the concerns of its mainstream customers. This is one of the oldest temples in Telangana region but in recent years, it has become very famous as visa temple, because whoever wants a visa to a foreign land puts in an application here as well. And the devout claim the visa consulates may fail you, this one does not.
Software engineer Ashutosh who is planning to pursue higher studies in the US says he came today because he had heard of the special prayers to stop the fall of the rupee against the dollar.
Housewife Padma believes Chilkur Balaji's influence is going to be very effective, very powerful, so is sure it will make a lot of difference.
S. Rangarajan, Chilkur Balaji temple priest explains that the students who got blessings of the Lord and went to the US for education, their loans are getting revalued. Instead of a loan for ten lakh rupees, they now have to arrange for 12-13 lakh rupees. "Immediately all our people are going to be in trouble.''
The prayers are meant to benefit the country and help it tide over any financial crisis, according to Rangarajan. "The runa vimochana narasimha stotram is mentioned in the Narasimha Puranam for overcoming any financial problem. It will benefit those who have taken a loan, and those who want to recover a loan.''
Ironically, this temple says 'no' to the same rupee for whose welfare prayers are being conducted. This is one of those rare temples that does not have a hundi and gives no green channel to VVIPs despite the heavy rush of devotees.