Introduction
Apart from Tirumala Tirupati Venkateswara Temple and Palani Murugan Temple, several temples across India have the tradition of offering human hair (known as tonsuring) as a sacred offering to God. This ancient practice symbolizes humility, surrender, and shedding of ego, and is performed by millions of devotees every year.
It is believed that offering one’s hair helps in seeking divine blessings, fulfilling vows, and expressing gratitude to the deity. The tonsured hair collected from these temples is often auctioned and used for various purposes, including the production of high-quality wigs, hair extensions, and medical applications. This makes temple hair a globally sought-after commodity, with India being the largest supplier of naturally obtained, healthy human hair. Here are some of the most well-known temples where this ritual is practiced:
1. Kanyakumari Devi Temple (Tamil Nadu)
- Devotees, especially women, offer their hair as a form of surrender and devotion to Goddess Kanyakumari.
2. Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple (Kerala)
- Devotees, particularly first-time visitors (Kanni Swamis), shave their heads as part of their 41-day vrata (penance) before visiting Lord Ayyappa.
3. Madurai Meenakshi Temple (Tamil Nadu)
- Some devotees shave their heads as an offering to Goddess Meenakshi, particularly after fulfilling vows or seeking divine blessings.
4. Sri Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur (Tamil Nadu)
- Similar to Palani Murugan Temple, devotees offer their hair as a sign of surrender to Lord Murugan.
5. Sri Kurmanatha Temple, Srikurmam (Andhra Pradesh)
- This is a unique Vishnu temple in the form of a tortoise (Kurma Avatar), where tonsuring is considered a significant act of devotion.
6. Simhachalam Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple (Andhra Pradesh)
- Devotees offer hair to Lord Narasimha as a form of devotion and thanksgiving.
7. Kanaka Durga Temple, Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh)
- Tonsuring is common among devotees of Goddess Durga, especially during Dasara (Navratri).
8. Mangalagiri Panakala Narasimha Swamy Temple (Andhra Pradesh)
- Many devotees offer their hair as a sacred practice to Lord Narasimha.
9. Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh)
- While not as common as in South India, some devotees tonsure their heads in Kashi as a sign of renunciation and devotion to Lord Shiva.
10. Kalighat Kali Temple (West Bengal)
- Devotees, especially those fulfilling vows or seeking divine intervention, offer their hair to Goddess Kali.
11. Kollur Mookambika Temple (Karnataka)
- Tonsuring is a common practice at this temple, where devotees offer their hair to Goddess Mookambika for spiritual blessings and success.
12. Ghati Subramanya Temple (Karnataka)
- Similar to other Murugan temples, tonsuring is common among devotees seeking blessings from Lord Subramanya.
13. Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore (Karnataka)
- Devotees offer hair as part of their vows to Goddess Chamundeshwari.
14. Yadagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple (Telangana)
- Tonsuring is a common offering here to Lord Narasimha.
15. Vemulawada Raja Rajeshwara Temple (Telangana)
- This Shiva temple is known for devotees offering their hair before seeking the Lord’s blessings.
16. Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi Temple (Tamil Nadu)
- Devotees, both men and women, tonsure their heads as an act of devotion to Goddess Adhiparasakthi.
These temples, along with several other local shrines, follow this ancient practice, making India the world’s largest collector of naturally shed, healthy human hair. This is an invaluable resource that could be leveraged for innovation in hair restoration, sustainable industries, and even medical applications.
Would you like more details on any of these temples or the significance of this tradition in Hinduism?