Biglove Indian Hair is dedicated to providing the highest quality Indian hair to our customers. At the heart of this commitment lies an unwavering focus on ethical sourcing. We believe that true beauty extends beyond the product itself to encompass the origins and the journey it undertakes. This is why we are proud to share our deep commitment to sourcing our hair ethically from the sacred grounds of South India temples, a practice steeped in profound religious and cultural significance .
The Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati stands as one of India’s most revered religious sites, drawing millions of devotees annually, many of whom participate in a unique ritual: the donation of their hair. Thousands of devotees visit this holy place daily, offering their hair as an act of worship and devotion. The Tirupati temple, often referred to as “Bhuloka Vaikuntam” – the earthly abode of Lord Vishnu – holds immense sacredness, further emphasizing the sanctity of the donations made within its premises.
The practice of hair donation at Tirupati, often referred to as “Kanika,” is not merely a physical act but a deeply symbolic offering rooted in centuries of religious belief and cultural tradition. The origins of this tradition can be traced back to the 12th century, with the inspiring legend of Princess Padmavathi. According to this revered tale, the princess, facing an attack by bandits, prayed to Lord Venkateswara for salvation and vowed to offer her hair as a sacrifice in gratitude. Her prayer was answered, and in fulfillment of her promise, she cut off her hair and offered it to the deity. This selfless act resonated deeply, inspiring countless devotees to follow suit, making hair donation a major ritual performed by millions each year.
Devotees offer their hair in Tirupati for a multitude of profound reasons. Primarily, it is an ultimate expression of devotion to Lord Venkateswara . By offering what is often considered a symbol of beauty and pride, devotees make a humble gesture of complete surrender to the deity . Many individuals also make a vow to donate their hair if their wishes are granted, further intertwining the act with personal faith and gratitude . Beyond devotion and wish fulfillment, hair donation is also regarded as a powerful means of purification, a way to cleanse oneself spiritually. It is believed that by parting with their hair, devotees can shed their sins and ego.
Another significant belief associated with this practice is linked to a divine narrative involving Lord Venkateswara and a loan from Lord Kuber. Devotees believe that their hair donation contributes to Lord Venkateswara’s repayment of this loan. Furthermore, it is said that those who donate their hair are blessed by Goddess Lakshmi, bestowing monetary abundance upon them. The profound significance is further underscored by the legend of Goddess Neela Devi, who offered her own hair to heal Lord Balaji after he was accidentally injured. Pleased by this selfless act, Lord Vishnu declared that hair is the most important aspect of beauty and promised that all devotees who come to his abode would offer their hair to him, with Neela Devi as the recipient of this offering. This story solidifies the belief that whoever offers their hair will have their wishes fulfilled.
The act of “Mundan,” as hair donation is also known, is considered the favorite sacrifice for Lord Venkateswara. Beyond the historical and mythological context, devotees offer their hair as a mark of respect, submission, and pure devotion. It is also a long-standing family tradition for many to offer the hair of their children before they reach the age of three.
In essence, hair, once considered the “crowning glory” of a person, becomes a powerful symbol of sacrifice and surrender to the divine.
The process of donating hair at Tirupati is a well-organized and accessible ritual for devotees. Numerous hair donation centers are located near the temple, providing a clean and hygienic environment for this sacred act. Before the process begins, devotees’ hair is meticulously washed and combed to remove any tangles or knots. Skilled barbers then carefully cut the hair, which is collected in a cloth and respectfully handed over to the temple authorities . The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the trust that manages the temple, oversees this entire operation.
The sheer volume of hair donated annually is staggering, estimated to be between 500 to 600 tonnes . To manage this immense quantity hygienically, the collected hair undergoes a meticulous procedure involving boiling, rinsing, drying, and storage in specialized godowns under controlled temperatures. The TTD then categorizes the hair based on length and quality before offering it for sale to factories that are specially registered to them. The revenue generated from these auctions is a significant source of income for the temple, which is then directed towards various charitable activities.
To facilitate the smooth execution of this daily ritual, the temple employs a substantial workforce. Approximately 600 barbers work in rotation, 24 hours a day, to assist the thousands of devotees who choose to tonsure their heads. The primary location for this ceremony is known as Kalyana Katta, a place dedicated to hair offerings, where tonsuring is provided free of cost. Tokens with room numbers are issued to devotees, along with a blade, directing them to designated areas for the “mundan”. Numerous Kalyana Katta centers are available in Tirumala and even in Tirupati town, with varying timings to accommodate the continuous flow of pilgrims. The main Kalyana Katta, opposite the Annadhanam Complex in Tirumala, operates 24 hours. The temple staff diligently collects the bundles of hair in and deposits them in special collection bins, with baskets filled with hair collected every hour and stored in vast warehouses. The hair is then gently untangled and sorted based on length, grades, and colors.
While specific regulations focusing solely on ethical hair sourcing from religious institutions in India may be limited, the practice of hair donation at Tirupati operates within a framework of religious tradition and the temple’s own governance. It is crucial to understand the ethical considerations within the broader context of the human hair industry. One prevalent misconception is that hair from Indian temples carries negative energy; however, it is widely recognized as a sacred act of devotion within Hindu culture.
The sourcing of Indian hair generally falls into two primary categories: temple donations (tonsuring) and collected hair from salons and households.
BigLove Indian Hair sources hair only from temples as we are then guaranteed that the cuticles are flowing in the same direction.
Temple donations are inherently voluntary religious practices that generate significant revenue for the temples, which is then used for charitable purposes. This voluntary nature distinguishes it ethically from other forms of hair collection where coercion or exploitation might be a concern. In fact, some argue that India stands as the only country capable of sustaining the hair extension industry ethically on a large scale due to this tradition of willing sacrifice. The transparency and sustainability of Indian hair collection, particularly from temples, are increasingly recognized. Temples often have governing bodies and anti-corruption measures in place to ensure the proper management of funds generated from hair auctions.
General ethical sourcing principles applicable to the human hair industry emphasize the importance of consent and voluntariness from donors, fair compensation (though in the case of Tirupati, the benefit goes to the community), the absence of child labor, hygienic collection practices, and transparency and traceability in the supply chain. While devotees at Tirupati do not receive direct monetary compensation for their hair, the proceeds from its sale are channeled back into maintaining the temple and funding a wide range of charitable services, including education, healthcare, and support for local communities. This indirect benefit to the community aligns with the broader goals of ethical sourcing, which drives positive social impact in rural and poor communities.
The Indian government has also taken steps to regulate the hair trade. A recent ban on the export of raw human hair to China to curb smuggling and protect local industries. This regulation, while not specifically targeting ethical sourcing from religious institutions, indirectly supports the value and quality of Remy hair, which is primarily sourced from temples like Tirupati.
Discussions around the legal framework for religious donations in India are ongoing. Organizations like the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) have called for a uniform law governing religious donations across all faiths, questioning the existence of separate laws. These discussions also touch upon the autonomy of temples and their financial management. Understanding these broader legal and socio-political contexts is important when considering the ethical landscape of sourcing hair from religious institutions.
At Biglove Indian Hair, our ethical compass is guided by a deep respect for the origins of our hair and the intentions of the devotees who donate it. We are committed to a sustainable and responsible approach to supply chain management, ensuring that our practices align with ethical, social, and governance (ESG) principles. Transparency is paramount in our sourcing methods, and we strive to be open about the journey our hair takes from the sacred grounds of temples to our customers.
We recognize that ethical sourcing encompasses fair labor practices, a positive social impact, and environmental sustainability. While the traditional model of “fair compensation” might not directly apply to the voluntary religious donations at Tirupati, we acknowledge the profound sacrifice made by devotees. Our commitment lies in ensuring that the hair we procure contributes to the continued well-being of the temple and the community it supports. We achieve this by sourcing hair directly from temples.
Our approach involves setting high standards for our sourcing practices, continuously monitoring our supply chain, and selecting partners who share our ethical values. We understand the importance of environmental responsibility and strive to minimize our impact through sustainable practices in our own operations. We also acknowledge the distinction between ethical sourcing, which focuses on responsible acquisition and fair treatment, and sustainable sourcing, which aims to improve conditions and minimize environmental impact. Our goal is to integrate both these aspects into our business model.
We adhere to the core principles of ethical and sustainable sourcing, including environmental responsibility in our processing and packaging, upholding fair labor practices within our own operations, ensuring transparency in our sourcing from temples, and supporting the local community indirectly through our engagement with the temple. We believe in building strong relationships with our suppliers, in this case, temples like TTD, based on trust and mutual respect.
Building trust with our customers is of utmost importance to Biglove Indian Hair. We understand that they want to know the origins of their hair and be assured that it has been sourced ethically and with respect. Therefore, we are committed to transparency and accountability in our sourcing practices, particularly concerning the sacred donations from temples.
We believe in being open about our sourcing methods, clearly communicating our connection to the temples of South India. While the direct donors may not have specific expectations about the commercial use of their hair, their primary intention is an offering to the deity. We honor this intention by ensuring that the hair we use comes directly from the temples, where the proceeds benefit the temple’s charitable activities and upkeep.
We are continuously exploring ways to enhance the traceability of our hair, allowing our customers to understand its journey from the temple to them. While the exact devotee who donated your bundle of hair cannot be traced, we ensure that our sourcing is directly linked to temples sales offices, providing a clear and accountable path. We are also committed to regularly monitoring and evaluating our sourcing practices to ensure they meet the highest ethical standards.
As the beauty industry increasingly emphasizes ethical sourcing and sustainability, we are dedicated to staying informed about best practices and potential certifications that can further validate our commitment. We believe that by being transparent about our sourcing from a respected religious institution like the temples, and by highlighting the positive impact of these donations on the community, we can build lasting trust with our customers.
The hair we source travels a straight and sanctified path: donated in devotion, collected with care by temple staff, and passed directly to us through official, fair channels – no middlemen, no black markets, and no exploitation.
Ethical sourcing isn’t just a business practice for us – it’s a moral imperative. Every bundle of temple hair we carry is, at its core, a gift from a devotee. These devotees received no monetary compensation; instead, they offered their hair out of love and faith. We feel a profound responsibility to honor that sacrifice at every step. Biglove Indian Hair operates on fair-trade principles that ensure all stakeholders, especially the original donors and the temple community, are respected and supported. The funds we pay in the temple auctions go directly to the temple treasury, which then uses the money for noble causes. In fact, the Tirumala Tirupati temple trust openly declares that the revenue from auctioning devotees’ hair is ploughed back into the community – supporting free meals, hospitals, schools, and charitable programs for the public good. By sourcing hair from the temple, we are effectively channeling a portion of our business revenue into those community services.
As a wholesale client of Biglove, you too become part of this virtuous circle: your partnership with us helps sustain a system that uplifts local communities and maintains a cherished religious institution. It’s hair trade done with heart and conscience.
Equally important is the dignity and sanctity with which we treat the hair itself. We recognize that this hair was a sacred offering on the donor’s part, and we handle it with the utmost respect. Biglove maintains strict hygienic and quality-controlled processing that mirrors the care the temple itself takes. (At Tirupati, hair is cleansed, sun-dried, and carefully graded by length and texture before it ever leaves the temple grounds, underscoring how valued these tresses are.) We continue that chain of respect: our processing involves gentle cleaning and sorting, never any harsh chemical treatments or unethical alterations. We do not acid-bath or silicone-coat the hair – practices sadly common elsewhere – because doing so would strip the hair of its natural purity and, in a sense, dishonor its origin. Instead, we preserve the hair in its 100% raw, natural state, just as it was when cut from the devotee’s head. Each bundle retains the original donor’s hair texture, strength, and direction of growth (cuticles intact), making it truly Remy and truly authentic. As industry experts have noted, Indian temple hair is among the most valuable in the world due to its naturally silky texture and the fact that it is unblemished by chemical products. In other words, temple hair is prized because it’s real, untreated hair from people who often have never even used synthetic shampoos or dyes, thanks to cultural practices. We take pride in offering this caliber of hair to our clients without altering its essence.
To further ensure fairness, Biglove Indian Hair supports the welfare of those who make this tradition possible. We maintain close relationships with temple officials and contribute to initiatives that benefit the barbers and staff who facilitate the donation process. (The Tirupati temple employs over 600 barbers to serve the devotees each day , working tirelessly in service of both spirituality and the subsequent hair industry; their work is something we deeply appreciate.) By strictly adhering to the official channels, we also help combat any illicit trade that might take advantage of devotees. Unfortunately, in the global rush for “temple hair,” there have been instances of Chinese operators attempting to divert hair or mislabel origins. Biglove’s stance is firm: we only deal with temples directly. This not only gives our buyers peace of mind, but it also protects the sanctity of the donors’ intent – their hair goes exactly where they intended, first to the deity and temple, and then to honest enterprises and end-users who value it. We consider every strand we handle as carrying the story of a devotee’s devotion, and we treat it accordingly.
For our clients in the USA and around the world, especially those seeking wholesale vendors of premium Indian hair, partnering with Biglove means you never have to compromise on values to get top-quality product. The hair we deliver is 100% authentic, raw, and unprocessed – the same hair that was collected on the marble floors of a sacred hall in Tirupati. When we say our hair is “temple hair,” we mean it in the most literal and verifiable sense. Each bundle can be traced back to a holy source, giving you and your customers a profound connection to a beautiful cultural tradition. Many end-users of extensions and wigs find it meaningful to learn that their hair piece came from a voluntary religious donation rather than exploitation. It adds an intangible value – the hair is not just an object of beauty, but also a symbol of a blessed act. One industry leader remarked that “There is no other place in the world where people come in droves to relinquish their hair… Most companies are not completely truthful about where their hair is sourced from” – but Biglove Indian Hair is proud to be entirely truthful and transparent. We want our buyers to feel confident and uplifted knowing that our sourcing aligns with the highest ethical standards and even with spiritual values of gratitude and giving.
Furthermore, the quality of temple-harvested hair speaks for itself. Because it’s cut as a complete ponytail during tonsuring, the hair remains aligned and intact from root to tip, which is the hallmark of Remy quality. The gentle handling and sorting ensure that our bundles are full of life – able to be colored, styled, and reused multiple times due to their strength. They are free from synthetic blends; when you run your fingers through a Biglove bundle, you feel only human hair with its cuticles intact, all flowing in one direction. Our commitment to raw authenticity means the hair behaves just like your own natural hair. This is particularly crucial for our wholesale clients who supply salons and hair professionals: you can assure your customers that the hair you’re providing is the real deal – pure Indian temple hair with nothing added or taken away. We back up that promise with our sourcing documentation and rigorous quality checks. In an era where terms like “Remy” and “virgin hair” are often misused, Biglove Indian Hair stands out by tying those claims to a verifiable origin story and ethical procurement practice.
In crafting our business around temple hair, Biglove Indian Hair has built a model that respects both the spiritual heritage of our product and the professional expectations of our clients. We believe that profit and principle can go hand in hand. By ethically sourcing from the sacred grounds, we ensure that every stakeholder – from the devotee in India who offers their hair, to the temple trust that utilizes funds for charity, to the stylist in America who demands quality, and ultimately to the woman wearing the extensions – is part of a positive and ethical chain of custody. Our company was founded on the idea that beauty can be a blessing: when you wear or sell Biglove Indian Hair, you are not just enhancing external beauty, you are participating in a cycle of goodwill and reverence. We carry this philosophy in our brand name – “BigLove” signifies the love and respect imbued in each stage of our process.
We at Biglove Indian Hair remain steadfast in our commitment to ethical sourcing from Tirupati temples. We educate our clients about this remarkable tradition because we want you to feel the same awe and appreciation that we do every time we attend the temple auctions or walk through the tonsure halls filled with chanting and selfless sacrifice. Our team has personally experienced the spiritual atmosphere of Tirupati; some of us have even undergone the ritual ourselves – an experience described by our founders as “very spiritual and humbling” . This connection fuels our passion to deliver a product that is not only superior in quality but also rich in meaning and integrity.
Biglove Indian Hair invites you to join us in this journey. Whether you are a distributor, a salon owner, or a beauty brand, when you choose our raw Indian hair bundles, you choose provenance, purity, and principles. We are eager to partner with conscientious buyers who care about where their products come from. Together, let’s set a higher standard in the hair industry – one that honors tradition, empowers communities, and delivers outstanding beauty products without compromise.
Thank you for reading about our mission. If you have any questions or wish to learn more about our Tirupati temple-sourced hair, please reach out to us. We are always happy to provide additional information, share our sourcing documentation, or even talk about our personal experiences at the temple. When you work with Biglove Indian Hair, you become part of a supply chain rooted in faith, ethics, and excellence. We look forward to supporting your business with hair that is truly a cut above – hair with a story and heart.
Inquiries: For wholesale inquiries or to learn more about our products and ethical sourcing, please contact us at Biglove Indian Hair or visit our website. Join us in spreading the message that beauty, quality, and ethical responsibility can indeed go hand in hand, strand by strand. Join us in spreading BigLove!
Sources & References: Biglove Indian Hair proudly references historical and factual information from credible sources to celebrate and substantiate the Tirupati hair tradition and our ethical practices. Below are some key references:
•India TV News – Story behind hair donation at Tirupati (Devotional significance and daily donation figures)
•Raj Park Tirupati Blog – History of Tirupati Hair Donation (Legend of Princess Padmavathi and ritual origins)
•Economic Times / ET Bureau – Tirumala’s hair auctions and charitable use of funds (Transparency, auction details, and quote on community services)
•Oddity Central – India’s sacred hair harvest (Daily pilgrims, annual hair tonnage, and quality of Indian hair)
Each of these sources attests to the integrity and significance of temple hair donations and reinforces BigLove Indian Hair’s commitment to ethical sourcing. We stand by the authenticity of our products – backed not just by our word, but by the very temples and traditions that inspire our work. Thank you for choosing Biglove Indian Hair, where every bundle is ethically sourced from sacred grounds.
