The origin of our hair

Pilgrim hairs

India and China are the biggest hair suppliers in the world. The hair from India is primarily sacrificed at the Hindu temple Tirumala, located on a mountain top next to the city of Tirupati in southern India. This pilgrimage site welcomes about 40,000 pilgrims a day – sometimes even as many as 100,000 per day during busy times – who come pray for salvation. This type of sacrifice is a centuries-old custom that has been taking place for 2,000 years. The temples in India have the same status for Hindus as Mecca does for Muslims and the Vatican for Catholics.

The pilgrims come from all directions to climb up the mountain with a full head of hair, only to descend later with a freshly shorn head. Pilgrims receive a free shave before they are granted access to the most holy part of the complex. Only then are they allowed to pray before the image of the god Venkateswara. The heads of men, women and children are shaved by one of the 650 barbers employed by the complex.

The hair that is sacrificed ends up on the street destined for hair extensions or is burned. Since the pilgrims know that the hair does not need to be burned but that there is a market for it in the western world, the hair is stored in containers. These containers collect about 45,000 kilograms of human hair every two months. The hair is auctioned off to various buyers, who pay an average of EUR 550.00 per kilo for the best-quality hair (triple-A) that is minimally 40 centimeters in length. In principle, everyone may buy raw hair. The temple’s rule is: “He who bids the highest will receive the best-quality hair!”

The pilgrims like to have their head shaved as this renders them pure blessed and they can show their thankfulness for life. Many pilgrims know that their hair will be sold and that the temple receives a lot of money for this, but they don’t worry about this because the temple spends the money on good causes. For example, the temple provides free accommodations and food for pilgrims and it owns hospitals and schools that the pilgrims can use free of charge.