New record for shaving in Tirupati; 12.4 lakh devotees offered their hair, the highest ever figure

• Between May 1 and May 27, 12.43 lakh devotees shaved their hair and offered it in Tirupati.
• TTD received an income of Rs.167 crore in 2023-24 from hair auction.
• More than 1,150 barbers are working in shifts keeping in view the increasing number of devotees.

Tirumala, the richest Hindu temple in the world Tirupati A tremendous increase in hair offerings has been recorded in temples. According to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, which manages the hilltop temple of Lord Venkateswara, a total of 12,43,063 devotees offered their hair between May 1 and May 27. This means 12.43 lakh devotees cut their hair. The hair offering at the Tirumala temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh is known as ‘black gold’. In the month of May this year, over 12.43 lakh devotees cut their hair as a symbol of their faith. The temple of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala (Tirupati) is believed to be around 2,700 to 5,000 years old. This number has already surpassed the figures recorded during the same period in previous years. During May 2024, around 10.65 lakh devotees donated hair.

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167 crore turnover of Rs

Besides the religious significance, these cases have become a major source of revenue for the TTD. It is called ‘black gold’. After selection and grading, the collected hair is auctioned off to countries such as China, Italy, the US and Brazil, where it is used in wigs, hair extensions and beauty products. According to statistics, hair auctions generated revenue of Rs 67 crore in 2020-21, which increased to Rs 167 crore in 2023-24, is estimated to reach Rs 190 crore in 2024-25 and is expected to cross the Rs 200 crore mark in the next financial year.

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Barber is working in shifts

TTD continues round-the-clock Mundan services through 11 small Mundan Kendras spread across the main Kalyankatta and Tirumala. To ensure seamless service and minimum waiting time, over 1,150 barbers including 269 female barbers are working in shifts. Apart from the religious significance, human hair has emerged as a major source of non-donation revenue for TTD. Hairs collected from devotees are carefully selected, graded and then auctioned off to buyers in countries such as China, Italy, the US and Brazil.