Tirupati Hair Donation Online Tonsure Mundan Tirumala Send
Can you donate hair to Tirumala online without visiting? No. There is no official online booking or “send your hair by post” service for the Tirumala hair offering (tonsure/mundan). The hair offering to Lord Sri Venkateswara is performed in person at the Kalyanakatta tonsuring centres in Tirumala, and the service is completely free of cost. If you cannot travel to Tirumala, you can offer your hair at a TTD-run temple/Kalyanakatta elsewhere, but hair cannot be “donated online” and mailed to the hill shrine. This guide explains how the system actually works, timings, hygiene, and what TTD does with the donated hair.
What is the Tirumala hair offering (mokku / tonsure)?
Offering one’s hair to Lord Venkateswara is one of the most popular vows (mokku) at Tirumala. Devotees shave their heads as a symbol of surrender, humility, gratitude and the fulfilment of a vow made to the deity. Both men and women, and children, participate. The tonsure is carried out at Kalyanakatta, a dedicated multi-storey tonsuring complex, and at several satellite (mini) Kalyanakatta centres spread across Tirumala so pilgrims do not have to travel far after arriving.
Is tonsure at Tirumala free? Key facts
Yes. Per the official TTD portal, tonsuring is done free of cost at all Kalyanakattas. Pilgrims are not asked to pay any fee for the shave itself. The table below summarises the verified essentials.
| Detail | Verified information |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free of cost at all official Kalyanakattas (TTD) |
| Main centre | Central Kalyanakatta (near the Free Meals / Nitya Annadanam complex) |
| Satellite centres | Around nine mini-Kalyanakattas at rest houses / guest complexes (e.g. Sri Venkateswara Rest House, Sri Padmavathi Rest House, and other cottage complexes) |
| Main centre timings | 24 hours, in 4 shifts: 3 AM–9 AM, 9 AM–3 PM, 3 PM–9 PM, 9 PM–3 AM |
| Mini-centre timings | 2–4 shifts depending on size |
| Staff | Hundreds of TTD barbers per shift to reduce waiting |
| Online booking | None. Tonsure is walk-in only; there is no online slot for it |
Kalyanakatta timings and shifts
The main Kalyanakatta operates round the clock in four six-hour shifts — 3 AM to 9 AM, 9 AM to 3 PM, 3 PM to 9 PM, and 9 PM to 3 AM. Because a very large number of devotees offer hair every day, TTD deploys a large workforce of barbers each shift so that queues move quickly. Smaller satellite centres run fewer shifts. It is best to complete the tonsure and a head bath before proceeding to darshan; timings for the mini-centres can vary by season and crowd, so confirm current hours on the official portal when you arrive.
Hygiene and safety at Kalyanakatta
TTD follows defined hygiene practices at the tonsuring centres. According to the official portal, an antiseptic mixed with water is applied to the head before tonsuring to help prevent skin and other infections, and hot-water facilities are available for a head bath afterwards. Fresh blades are used for the shave as part of the sanitation protocol. Devotees are advised to keep valuables safe and to carry a small towel; soap and bathing arrangements are provided nearby.
Is there an “online tonsure” or “send hair to Tirumala” service?
This is the most common misconception, so to be clear: TTD does not offer any online tonsure booking, and it does not accept hair sent by post/courier as a temple offering. The vow is fulfilled by physically getting the tonsure done at a Kalyanakatta. Two practical options exist:
- Come to Tirumala and offer hair at the central or a satellite Kalyanakatta (free).
- Offer at a TTD-run temple/Kalyanakatta closer to you where such a facility is provided. Tonsure done at these official TTD facilities is recognised as an offering.
Any website or agent claiming to “book your Tirumala hair donation online” or to forward posted hair to the temple is not an official TTD channel. Rely only on the official TTD portal for what is and isn’t offered.
What happens to the donated hair? (TTD hair e-auction)
The hair offered by devotees is not discarded — it is one of TTD’s significant sources of income. Collected hair is dried, then graded by length and texture and stored in a temperature-controlled warehouse. TTD, in partnership with a central agency (MSTC), sells it through a transparent global e-auction. Buyers export the graded hair to markets such as the United States, China, Japan and Europe, where it is used for wigs/hair extensions and in some industrial and pharmaceutical applications.
The scale is large: TTD has recorded upwards of 12 lakh tonsures in a single month during peak periods, and human-hair e-auctions run into tens to hundreds of crores of rupees annually, with TTD projecting revenue in the region of ₹176 crore from hair auctions for FY 2025–26 (projection, subject to actual auction results). Figures fluctuate each auction cycle, so treat specific rupee amounts as indicative rather than fixed.
Practical tips for pilgrims
- Complete your tonsure and head bath before darshan.
- Carry a small towel; use the hot-water facility provided after the shave.
- Non-shaved offerings (a symbolic lock of hair) are also accepted for those who prefer not to have a full head shave.
- Keep valuables secure and stay in the queue lines directed by TTD staff.
- There is nothing to pay for the tonsure — decline anyone soliciting a “fee” for the official service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I donate hair to Tirumala online and send it by post?
No. There is no official online booking and TTD does not accept posted/couriered hair as an offering. The tonsure must be done in person at a Kalyanakatta.
Is the tonsure really free?
Yes. TTD states tonsuring is done free of cost at all Kalyanakattas. You should not pay any fee for the official service.
What are the Kalyanakatta timings?
The main centre runs 24 hours in four shifts: 3 AM–9 AM, 9 AM–3 PM, 3 PM–9 PM and 9 PM–3 AM. Satellite centres run fewer shifts.
Is it hygienic?
TTD applies an antiseptic solution before the shave, uses fresh blades, and provides hot-water facilities for a head bath afterwards.
Can women and children also offer hair?
Yes. Men, women and children all offer hair at Kalyanakatta; a symbolic lock is accepted for those who do not want a full shave.
What does TTD do with the collected hair?
It is graded by length/texture and sold through a global e-auction (with MSTC), then exported for use mainly as wigs and hair extensions — a major revenue source for the temple.
Click Here to Know the details about the Sree Tirumala Kashi Math Rooms Online Booking
Sources & last verified (July 2026)
- TTD official — Kalyanakatta: https://www.tirumala.org/KalyanaKatta.aspx
- TTD News — human hair e-auction revenue: https://news.tirumala.org/ttd-nets-rs-74cr-through-human-hair-e-auction/
- Deccan Chronicle — 12.43 lakh hair offerings recorded: https://www.deccanchronicle.com/southern-states/andhra-pradesh/tirumala-records-over-1243-lakh-hair-offerings-in-27-days-1959735
- Bizz Buzz — TTD hair e-auction revenue projection: https://www.bizzbuzz.news/politics/ttd-eyes-higher-revenue-from-e-auction-of-hair-1167102
This site (tirumalatirupationline.com) is an independent pilgrim-information guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) or any temple or government body. For the tonsure and any temple service, rely on the official TTD portal at tirumala.org.
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
