TIRUPATI: To store and segregate human hair worth crores of rupees, called ‘black gold’, a new complex has been constructed by the Engineering Department of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). According to the TTD authorities, the new building will be inaugurated on Monday.
When the TTD started e-auction of human hair several years ago, it was decided to establish an exclusive godown along with modern equipment for cleaning, segregation and management of the stock. The construction of the complex was taken up two years ago at a cost of `6 crore.
Earlier, around 10,000 devotees used to get their heads tonsured at Kalyanakatta as part of fulfillment of their vow. The average number of tonsures on normal days has increased to 25,000 now. During the peak season and temple festivals, the number of tonsures goes up to 35,000 a day. According to the TTD records, the average number of tonsures on normal days increased to 30,000 in 2016-17. During the peak season that is from March, the number of pilgrims who get their head tonsured goes up to 40,000 a day. The daily count crossed 50,000 mark a couple of occasions this year.
The highest income earned by the TTD through the auction of human hair per annum is `300 crore. Over the past few years, the income from the auction of human hair had come down to `150 crore per annum. The TTD recently reduced the upset price for auction of human hair. The TTD is likely to get a better price for human hair with the construction of an exclusive building for its storage.