Chennai: With the wishes of people in modern times changing, this ‘special’ Lord Ganapathi temple in Tamil Nadu’s capital attracts hordes of devotees especially on “Sangada Hara Chadhurthi” every month, even as the deity is celebrated on Vinayaka Chadurthi.

The presiding deity is so named as it is believed a worship here will fulfil a devotee’s desire to get a visa to work or study abroad. People, especially the younger generation coming from even far-flung areas of the State, “strongly trust” that this Ganapathi is “kind enough” to clear the visa procedures soon and easily.

Situated in Brindavan Nagar in Nanganallur is the temple of Sri Lakshmi Visa Ganapathi. R Jagannathan, an early settler in Nanganullur, constructed a small temple outside his house a few years ago and his father got the idol of Lord Ganesh from Mahabalipuram.

Though Jagannathan’s neighbours regularly worshipped the deity, few locals, who were preparing for studying and seeking employment abroad, placed their visa-related documents in front of the deity and prayed… their visa got cleared. Since then, the temple has been named ‘Visa Ganapathi’.

As the beneficiaries spread the news, people started visiting from other States like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and even Mumbai.

Jagannathan, a retired consultant from a private hotel, also receives regular emails from the people living abroad requesting to perform special ‘archanai’ and send the ‘prasadam’ through courier.
“I am planning to go to US and have my interview at the Consulate for visa processing. I came one day earlier to seek the blessings of this deity,” Ashok Verma (name changed), who came all the way from Maharashtra, said.

Poojas at the temple are conducted anytime according to the wishes of the devotees. V V Swaminathan, the priest, who stays near the temple comes anytime after just one phone call.
Interestingly, Swaminathan’s predecessor Ramanathan too got his visa to work in a temple abroad a few years back.