History of Tirumala KalyanaKatta:
The word ‘TIRUPATI’ reminds every one of the tonsured heads and the laddus. Tirumala Kalyana Katta is a multi-storeyed building where thousands of devotees offer their hair to Lord Sri Venkateswara and is located opposite to Free Meals office block. At KalyanaKatta, hundreds of believers of the Lord can have their heads shaved at the same time and this is done free of cost. A fascinating instance about this says that hair is the ‘crowning glory’ of an individual as it increases good looks. It is believed that the person who snips off the hair loses his ego and has a docile mind with which one can have the darsanam of the Lord. Hence many devotees happily and regularly shave off their head due to the multiple profits from it.
In the main KalyanaKatta, female barbers are also available from 2:00 a.m to 12:00 a.m.
Ear Piercing at Tirumala Kalyana Katta.
Hair of the newborn babies are prayed to be offered to the Lord Srinivasa here by many South Indian families who have their ‘Kuladeivam’ as Lord Venkatachalapathy, and they also pierce the ears of the infants in this divine place of KalyanaKatta Tirumala. There are professionals in a separate hall near Janata Canteen who pierce the ears. People pay them with either money, or rice, vegetables, fruits or flowers.
Story behind tonsuring at KalyanaKatta Tirumala.
The first devotee to offer hair to the Lord was Neela Devi. Hence the hill was named after her by Lord Srinivasa as Neeladri. A small part of Lord Srinivasa’s scalp loses hair and becomes patchy when hit by a shepherd on his head. The baldness on this portion was noticed by the Gandharva princess, Neeladevi who felt that no flaws should spoil such a good-looking face. She uses her powers and straightaway cuts a portion of her hair and imbeds it on his scalp. Lord Srinivasa pleased by her sacrifice, as hair is an attractive part of a woman, said that all the hair offered to him by the devotees in Tirumala or Tirupati would go to Neeladevi. Shaving off hair is also a symbol of parting with our ego. The word ‘Talanelalu’ is also derived from her name.
There are 16 mini Kalyana Kattas at important places in Tirumala which function from 6 am to 6 pm everyday, to perform tonsure for pilgrims staying in cottages and guesthouses. The fee charged at these locations is Rs. 10/- per head.
The places at which mini Kalyana Kattas are located are: Sri Venkateswara Guest House, N.G.G.H, Sri Varahaswami Guest House, Ram Bagicha Guest House (RBGH)-I, RBGH-II, RBGH-III, SPTC, MBC, TBC, SMC, ANC, HVC, Sri Padmavathi Guest House, Mysore Choultry, Sapthagiri Satramulu and Ist N.C
| Sl.No. | Name of the Mini Kalyanakatta | Timings | Payment / Free |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | A.N.C. , S.N.G.H., V.S.G.H. | 03.00 AM TO 09.00 PM | Rs.10/- per Tonsure |
| 2. | R.B.G.H., S.G.G.H. H.V.C., T.B.C., P.J.R.H., M.B.C., N.G.G.H., K.T.B.G.H., V.P.G.H., S.M.C. | 06.00 AM TO 06.00 PM |
Tirumala Kalyana Katta Locations and other places with Timings:
- KalyanaKatta from 2.00 am to 12.00 am
- KalyanaKatta 2 from 2.00 am to 12.00 am
- Rambageecha Guest House from 6.am to 6 pm
- Sri Venkateswara Guest House from 6.00.am to 6.00 pm
- Padmavathi Guest House from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm
- Pilgrim Amenities Complex (Opposite to Tirumala Bus Terminus) from 6.00 .am to 9.00 pm
Hello sir,
Can we send the hair through courier to kalyanakatta. If it is possible can you give me the address of kalyanakatta.
Dear Srivalli
Please make your reuest / query at TTD Whatsapp number +91 93993 99399 or contact the TTD Customer care for present situation.
Om Namah Shivaya
Hello sir,
Can I know about the kalyan katta at himaythnagar TTD and we are planning for tomorrow afternoon timings.
Can I know the perfect contact details and information to process the darshan.
Thank you.
Dear Uma Maheshwarudu
If you are from Himayathnagar then below is the Contact number of TTD Himayath Nagar Temple –
040 22220852
If its not Himayathnagar then please mention your location name properly and we let you know any.
Om Namah Shivaya
Is their any facility for devotees to tonsure their hair at TTD himayatnagar?
Dear Sai Charan
Yes there is Tonsuring facility at the temple premises and then can courier to the TTD Tirumala.
Before starting please call 040 23220862 and make sure as due to covid 19 issue.
Om Namah Shivaya
Dead admin sir,
My name is Sapra. We have a family vow to donate our hair to Lord Venkateswara . We are planning to visit Tirupati – Tirumala next month to fulfill our vow. We are a family of four with two toddlers. I would like to enquire about the head shaving/ tonsuring facilities . As we have two toddlers who will get afraid of crowd , we are looking for any individual barbers who can come to our guest house or staying place to perform the tonsuring. Do we have such facility in Tirumala ? Please help. Thank you
Dear Sapra
You will find barbers near some guest houses and some choultries.
Hello,
Can i buy hair from the Temple? I am located in NYC.
Dear Dyamond Mckie
You need to check with the Tender notices that will be announced on first Thursdays of every month in the temple website under latest Updates section.
Om Namah Shivaya
parents also do the tonsure with child 1st tonsure?
Dear Kavya
If Lord Venkateshwara is your clan lord (Kula devudu) then don’t offer hairs if not then you can offer / tonsure your hairs also.
Om Namah Shivaya
Thanks for ur suggestion next week we r plan to go and I’m also tonsure with my son no problem it’s not clan god
Om Namah Shivaya
Thanks and I’m going to tonsure my hair for the 1st time so wats the procedures wer should we do
Dear Kavya
No procedure to follow Mrs. Kavya. Just go get into the Kalyana katta and simply offer your hairs chanting the lords name with sincere devotion is enough.
Om Namah Shivaya
Hummm ok separate section for ladies and children
Dear Kavya
Yes you can offer your hairs with the help of a women shaver itself. For childrens will allowed with experienced shavers. No issues for you there to get troubled there.
Om Namah Shivaya
Thank you for urs suggestion and support we r going on Tuesday night and also my friend booked for special Darshan on Wednesday so early morning we can shave our hairs so how much time will take sir
Dear Kavya
It depends on the crowd throng in there Kavya. Most probably on Tuesday will be less crowd only so may take half an hour to one hour at Kalyana katta. Also there are some other tonsure centres where near Guest house itself where it take less that what i said above.
There the barber will ask 20 rs 50 rs. Don’t give more that rs 20 or don’t that also if you can. It is not must.
Om Namah Shivaya
Wow it’s amazing trip in my entire life and thanks for all support and suggestions nice place I can’t explain my journey with my lord and wen I went kalyanakatta little crowd not much first time I saw all age of people male and female both surrendered their egos and tonsure great and me and my full family tonsure our head barbers also good experienced not hurt not demanding money
Dear Kavya
May Almighty Bless You All will good Health, Wealth and Prosperity.
Om Namah Shivaya
1st time tonsured my head but I’m not afraid happily done it’s really great experience for women who have long hairs I just closed my eyes chanting Govinda lord name so it’s done easily after that good facility to bath and after that we went for Darshan that’s awesome to see lord Venkateshwara and fulfill my dreams
Thanks ???????? to all
I have to take video of my tonsure. Can I take? Where I can take bath after my tonsure.
Dear Bala
Cameras are not allowed inside the Kalyana katta.
If you tonsure in other places then possible to take video. Somethimes that may not also be possible so please check for outside the Kalyana katta placess only.
Om Namah Shivaya
Sir can you please tell me whether you have taken a video or not? Your reply will help me a lot bro please reply me asap
Dear Bhuvan
Inside Kalyana Katta Taking video is prohibited.
Weather at Nandakam guesthouse hair offering of ladies is available?
Yes you can tonsure at nandakam guest house
Ashwini
In north normal practice is that you should not tonsure head when your parent are alive. Can I tonsure at Balaji ?
Dear Ashwini
It is all our belief which fixed by our forefathers or the astrologers.
I see many womens over here in the south, after marriage have tonsured their hairs. Any body a women or men can tonsure their hairs at Thirumala as an offer for the lord. So its not a mistake. The TTD devasthanam has allotted women workers to tonsure womens. If it shoule not be done then TTD would have not provided right.
So think and then offer.
Also let your decission do not afflict others, in the family and its also a sin. As you a women you need to abide with such beliefs. Here if your husband supports then you can very well offer tonsure of hairs.
Regards
I’m ashwini I’m married should I offer my hair in tirumala
Dear Ashwini
If you wish / desire to offer hairs then you can offer as there is not problem for that.
Om Namah Shivaya
can i offer hair tonsure in ram bagicha guest house without accomodation in particular guest house in tirumala??
Hai Pawan
Yes you can. Here are the toll free numbers of the TTD Temple authority. you can call them regarding your doubt. Toll Free nos: 1800425111111, 1800425333333 / Phone: +91-877-2233333 / 2277777.
Regards