Each year, millions of pilgrims display their devotion for Sri Venkateswara, a deity in an Indian temple by donating their hairs to help him offset a debt.

The deity is believed to have taken a loan in order to fund his own wedding, incurring huge debts in the process. But interestingly devotees are happy to see that debt wiped out by offering their hairs.

The local temple, according to The Yale Globalist, receives donations from at least 20,000
devotees each day, leading to the employment of 600 barbers to get the job done. Thousands of pilgrims sit cross-legged on the floor with their heads bent forward, as the barbers work their scissors and razors at lightning speed.

The temple collects 500 tons of human hair each year, which they auction off to hair extension makers across the world. According to several experts, Indian hair is considered one of the most valuable in the world, owing to its naturally silky texture and also because it is unblemished by artificial hair products. This has placed the temple at the center of a very lucrative, high-paying market. Last year alone, they raked in a revenue of $3.6 million.

According to the scriptures, all Hindus are advised to shave their heads at least once during their lifetime. This is - See more at: http://celineoluchi..com/2014/11/indian-hair-extension-600-barbers-shave.html#more