Nandakam Kalyanakatta Timings Tirumala Head Tonsure Tickets

Nandakam Kalyanakatta is the free head-tonsure (hair-offering) centre
located inside the Nandakam Rest House at Tirumala, and it operates in three
shifts covering roughly 3:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
According to the official Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) portal,
tonsuring is done free of cost at all Kalyanakattas in Tirumala,
including the Nandakam centre. You do not pay a fee and you do not need an
advance ticket for the hair offering itself — you simply walk in during
operating hours and, on busy days, collect a token issued at the centre. This
article explains the Nandakam Kalyanakatta timings, cost, location and the
tonsuring process, all cross-checked against TTD’s official Kalyanakatta
page.

What is the Nandakam Kalyanakatta?

A Kalyanakatta is a TTD-run hall where pilgrims fulfil the
traditional vow of offering their hair to Lord Venkateswara. Tirumala has one
large Main Kalyanakatta Complex plus several “mini” Kalyanakattas
spread across the guest houses and rest houses so that pilgrims do not have to
travel far. The Nandakam Kalyanakatta (listed as NDRH on the
official portal) is one of these mini centres, located within the Nandakam
Rest House complex.

You do not have to be staying in the Nandakam Rest House to use its
Kalyanakatta. Like the other tonsure centres in Tirumala, it is open to all
pilgrims. That said, if the Nandakam centre is crowded or closed for cleaning,
the Main Kalyanakatta Complex near the temple runs around the clock and is
always an alternative.

Nandakam Kalyanakatta timings and cost at a glance

These timings reflect the shift pattern published on TTD’s official
Kalyanakatta page. Operating shifts and the number of barbers on duty can be
adjusted by TTD during peak seasons, festivals and Brahmotsavams, so treat the
hours above as the standard schedule and confirm the live position on the
official portal or at the centre if you are travelling during a rush period.

Is the hair offering really free?

Yes. The official TTD Kalyanakatta page states plainly that “Tonsuring
is done at free of cost at all Kalyanakattas.” There is no charge for
the tonsure at Nandakam or any other TTD centre in Tirumala. Some older guides
mention “tickets” — in practice this refers to the free
token issued to manage queues on crowded days, not a paid ticket. If anyone
asks you to pay for the tonsure inside a TTD Kalyanakatta, that is not part of
the official, free service.

How the Nandakam tonsuring process works

• Reach the centre: Go to the Kalyanakatta inside the
  Nandakam Rest House complex during one of the three shift windows.
• Collect a token if needed: On normal days you can walk in;
  on busy days TTD issues tokens to keep queues orderly.
• Tonsure by a TTD barber: A barber on duty performs the head
  tonsure. TTD uses a fresh, sterilised blade for each devotee as part of its
  hygiene practice.
• Hot water and wash: Hot water and washing facilities are
  available so you can clean up after the tonsure.
• Proceed to darshan: After bathing and freshening up,
  pilgrims usually proceed towards the temple for Srivari darshan.

Many devotees, especially those tonsuring infants and children for the first
time, prefer the early-morning shift when the centre is calmer. Carry a change
of clothes, and keep small valuables secure while you are being attended to.

Other Kalyanakatta centres in Tirumala

If Nandakam is not convenient, TTD operates several tonsure centres. The Main
Kalyanakatta Complex and the two Pilgrim Amenities Complex centres (PAC-1 and
PAC-2) run four shifts covering the full 24 hours (3–9 AM, 9 AM–3
PM, 3–9 PM, 9 PM–3 AM). Rest-house centres such as Sri Padmavathi
Rest House (SPRH) and Sri Venkateswara Rest House (SVRH) also run four shifts,
while others including Nandakam (NDRH) run three shifts, and centres like
Kousthubham (KTRH) and Sapthagiri (SGRH) rest houses run two shifts. All of
them are free of cost.

Quick comparison of shift coverage

Tips for a smooth hair offering

• Prefer a non-peak shift if you can; early morning is usually the calmest.
• The tonsure is free — do not pay anyone for it inside the centre.
• Carry a spare set of clothes and a towel; use the hot-water facility to
  bathe afterwards.
• For infants, hold the child firmly and let the TTD barber work; a fresh
  blade is used each time.
• During Brahmotsavam and festival rushes, expect longer waits and possible
  token queues.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Nandakam Kalyanakatta timings?

Per the official TTD portal, the Nandakam Rest House Kalyanakatta runs three
shifts: 3:00 AM–9:00 AM, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM and 3:00 PM–9:00
PM. Hours can change during peak seasons, so confirm on the official portal if
in doubt.

Is there any charge for the tonsure at Nandakam Kalyanakatta?

No. TTD states that tonsuring is done free of cost at all Kalyanakattas,
including Nandakam.

Do I need to book a ticket in advance?

No advance booking is required for the tonsure. You attend on the spot; on
busy days a free token is issued at the centre to manage the queue.

Can non-residents of the Nandakam Rest House use this Kalyanakatta?

Yes. The Kalyanakatta is open to all pilgrims, not only those staying in the
Nandakam Rest House.

Is it hygienic and safe?

TTD follows hygiene practices at its centres, including a fresh sterilised
blade for each devotee and antiseptic care, with hot water available for
bathing afterwards.

What if Nandakam is closed or too crowded?

Use the Main Kalyanakatta Complex, which runs four shifts around the clock, or
one of the other TTD rest-house centres — all are free.

Sources & last verified (July 2026)

• Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams — official Kalyanakatta page:
  https://www.tirumala.org/KalyanaKatta.aspx
  (centre list, shift timings, “free of cost” statement)
• Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams — official portal home:
  https://www.tirumala.org/

For any tonsure, darshan or accommodation query, the single authoritative
source is the official TTD portal at tirumala.org. This website is an
independent pilgrim-information guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed
by, or partnered with Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) or any temple or
government body.

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Last reviewed: July 6, 2026