Over 12 lakh devotees offer hair at Tirumala in May so far
Seamless tonsuring services by TTD
Priority to hygiene and safety methods
TIRUMALA, MAY 28, 2026: The “Black Gold” deposits have seen a significant increase in Tirumala with the number of devotees offering their hair to Sri Venkateswara Swamy, the Universal Supremo of Kaliyuga, in the current month of May.
To ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience for devotees, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has made extensive arrangements and is rendering uninterrupted tonsuring services round the clock.
Until May 27 this year, as many as 12,43,063 devotees offered their hair at Tirumala. In comparison, the total number of devotees who offered hair during May 2024 stood at 10,65,729, while during May 2025 the figure was 10,18,370.
Owing to the summer vacation season and continuous weekend rush, Tirumala has been witnessing an unprecedented inflow of pilgrims. From May 18 to May 23, more than 50,000 devotees offered hair each day for six consecutive days. Notably, on May 23 alone, a record 57,580 devotees offered their hair as a part of fulfilment of their oath.
Tonsuring Centres across Tirumala
To minimize waiting time and provide convenient access to devotees, TTD has established multiple Kalyanakatta centres across Tirumala. Apart from the Main Kalyanakatta, Eleven mini tonsuring centres are functioning at PAC-1, PAC-2, PAC-3, PAC-5, GNC, HVC, Sapthagiri Rest House, Nandakam Rest House, Kousthubham Rest House, Sri Venkateswara Rest House, and Sri Padmavathi Rest House.
Dedicated services by Kalyanakatta Barbers
A total of 1,152 barbers are rendering services to devotees at Tirumala, including 269 women barbers. TTD has taken special measures to provide hygienic and comfortable tonsuring services.
Each barber normally tonsures around 40 devotees during a six-hour shift. In view of the increased pilgrim rush, TTD has increased the tonsuring hours in their shifts for around 250 barbers, enabling each barber to serve approximately 50 more devotees, thereby ensuring uninterrupted services.
High Priority to Hygiene and Devotee Welfare
TTD has accorded utmost priority to cleanliness and hygiene at all Kalyanakatta centres, keeping in view the health safety of devotees as well as the barbers. The blades used for tonsuring are first sterilized in sodium solution and subsequently cleaned with Dettol before use.
The collected hair offerings are continuously gathered and safely preserved. Every Kalyanakatta is equipped with bathing facilities and hot water for devotees. TTD is also distributing Sandal pills(Chandanam Billalu) to devotees after the tonsuring ritual.
Keeping in view the heavy pilgrim turnout, TTD has further strengthened sanitation measures, drinking water facilities, seating arrangements, and token systems at all tonsuring centres to ensure a comfortable and spiritually fulfilling experience for the devotees.
