The tradition of shaving off one's locks in grateful offering at a temple is uniquely Indian. Hindu temples are the largest suppliers of hair. And at Tirupati, this runs in to thousands of kilograms every year. In fact, it is the biggest grosser

"We earn about Rs. 30 Crore from hair auctions annually", reveals Anita Shah Akella, Financial Advisor, TTD. The hair is collected in gunny bags by temple workers and stored in special containers. Once the warehouse is full, auction notices are put out in all major newspapers in South India on the official website of the temple. Auctions are conducted twice or three times in year depending on the volume of hair generated. The hair is bought by wig-makers and passes through many stages of treatment after which it is sold as wigs and hair-extensions. Tirupati hair, as so much of hair from other temple in India, makes its way to several other markets in India and abroad, including Los Angeles, where it is also used in Hollywood.