Tonsure long hair, get 5 TTD laddus free

Hari Babu R Tirumala: In a bid to generate more revenue to the temple, officials of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) are planning to launch a new scheme from April 1 to devotees who wish to offer their hair.A According to the new scheme, women devotees who offer 32 inches long hair will be given five laddus free of cost. Officials feel that the new scheme would definitely attract more number of women devotees and it would also fetch more revenue to the temple. Every day, thousands of devotees throng the TTD and offer their hairs to fulfill their wishes. Last year, revenue of Rs 300 crore was generated after the TTD sold the tonsured human hair, according to temple officials. The income generated through the sale of human hair amounts to about 15 per cent of the Devasthanam's total annual income. Officials said five devotees' hair which is 32 inches long would weigh 1 kg, will fetch TTD nearly Rs 21,800. Summer is considered to be a thriving season of the hair offerings in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. With the annual examinations of different levels of education coming to end, many parents along with their children flock to the temple and offer their hairs to the temple for fulfilling their wishes. About 30 per cent pilgrims visiting Tirumala shrine on normal days and 70 per cent pilgrims during summer offer hair to fulfill their wishes.A The TTD for the first time auctioned the tonsured hair in 1980 and earned Rs 40 lakh. With the number of devotees increasing by the year, the TTD's income through the tonsured hair also increased to unprecedented levels and the revenue has now touched the Rs 300 crore mark.