Yes. Temple hair is one of the most ethical sources of human hair. It is hair freely offered with gratitude, and the proceeds of the temples' auctions fund community programs.
From offering to bundle
- Offered. A devotee gives their hair at the temple.
- Shaved. The hair is shaved straight through, and a knot is tied near the root end to mark the root.
- Kept apart. Each person's offering stays its own unit, so a finished bundle is single-donor.
- Auctioned. The temple auctions the offerings to fund community charity programs.
For the longer story, read our guide to Indian temple hair sourcing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Indian temple hair ethically sourced?
Yes. Temple hair is one of the most ethical sources of human hair because it is a gift. Devotees offer it freely, in gratitude, and the temples auction the offerings to fund community charity programs.
Where does temple hair come from?
It comes from temples across South India, where devotees offer hair at thousands of temples. Tirumala is the largest single source of temple-auctioned hair.
Why do devotees offer their hair?
As an act of gratitude and devotion, often to fulfil a prayer or vow, for example after a wish has been granted. It is a spiritual practice filled with gratitude.
Is temple hair shaved or cut?
Shaved. In the most common method, the hair is parted down the middle and tied into two ponytails, one on each side, only to keep it manageable. The barber then shaves from the parting outward. Whichever method is used, the barber ties a knot near the root end once the shave is complete, which marks the root so the direction of the strand stays identifiable. Because the hair is shaved straight through and not cut with scissors, each strand keeps its full length from root to tip.
What happens to the hair after it is offered?
The temples auction the offered hair in bulk, by weight, to licensed processors, an open and documented commercial practice. The proceeds fund free meals, education and infrastructure.
Isn't it wrong to auction hair that was offered to a deity?
The offering is a gift, and the auction proceeds fund community charity programs. Compared with buying hair from an individual for cash, temple sourcing keeps the offering voluntary and directs the money to a community purpose.
Can a bundle be traced back to one donor?
A bundle is single-donor because each person's offering is tied together as a single unit and never blended with another's. It is not traceable to a named individual, though. Single-donor means one person's hair, not an identifiable person.
Is all hair offered at temples used for extensions?
No. Only women's fully shaved, long hair enters the auction supply for extensions. Hair that is only cut as an offering, and men's shaved hair, is sold into a different industry, to factories that extract keratin and melanin for cosmetic and biochemical use.
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