Konney/New Delhi: Bussa Krishna first began worshipping Donald Trump four years ago when the US president appeared to him in a dream.
Since then, after a run of good fortune, the real estate broker has transformed his modest home into a shrine to Trump who is due in India on Monday for a two-day visit.
"My love for him has transformed into reverence. That has given me immense happiness. Hence, instead of praying to other gods, I started praying to him," said Krishna.
Krishna, who lives alone in a village in Telangana, has erected a life-size statue to Trump in his yard, while his walls are scrawled with the leader's name — to the annoyance of his extended family.
"I am facing difficulties because of my relatives," he said. "They tell me that I am disgracing them in society. I told them that just like you believe and worship Shiva, I believe and worship Trump. Neither of us can stop the other from doing so."
Krishna is not the only Indian who reveres Trump.
In New Delhi, members of the Hindu Sena, a right-wing fringe group, have begun rehearsing a welcome song in his honour. Its members say Trump shares their hatred of Islamic extremism, and it has drawn attention for boisterous celebrations of his birthday, including pretending to feed cake to photos of his face.
"We like Donald Trump because he openly spoke about India's feelings," said Hindu Sena leader Vishnu Gupta. "He openly said that he would eliminate Islamic terrorism from its roots, that is why I am his fan."
Trump, who has a reputation as an unabashed populist who shows his enemies no mercy, will make his first visit to India. His itinerary starts on February 24 in Gujarat's Ahmedabad, where he will visit the former home of Mahatma Gandhi and address an estimated 125,000 people at a rally. He is due in the capital the following day.
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