In an Indian temple there are over 600 barbers to shave 20,000 pilgrims to zero every day.
In the south of India is Tirumala, a well-known pilgrimage destination, with a temple dedicated to Sri Venkateswara. According to the legend, the divinity got heavily into debt to celebrate his marriage, which is why, even today, he needs the help of his devotees.
This contribution does not have to be cheap but ... in hair! Thus, every day, over 20,000 people visit the temple and have their hair shaved to give their hair to the divinity.
For this reason, there are over 600 barbers who cut the hair of pilgrims in dedicated buildings. 500 tons of hair are collected each year, then auctioned to extension producers and allowing the temple to cover the costs.
The pilgrims themselves are not against the sale of hair, as the temple offers them everything they need for free: from food to accommodation. "Our God is important to us, not our hair. So we hope they make good use of the money" says one of the faithful.
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