Recently, there have been a large number of reports on the growing trend of 'Temple hair extensions' among women and men in western countries, particularly amongst film stars, musicians and other celebrities.

'Temple hair extensions' are so called because the hair used to make the hair extensions is believed to have come from the compounds of the Tirumala temple devoted to Lord Venkateswara in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. At the temple, it is common for devotees to donate their hair as an offering to Lord Venkateswara, as a symbolic sacrifice of the ego.

So many people come to Tirumala, that many claim it to be the world's most popular pilgrimage site, even outstripping the Vatican and Mecca in the sheer numbers arriving on a daily basis. And out of the visitors, it is estimated that 75% take part in shaving of their hair as a donation. That's a lot of hair!

In the many articles on 'Temple Hair' it has been suggested that part of the attraction to consumers is the growing popularity of eastern spiritual traditions in the west, especially amongst celebrities who take part in spiritual traditions such as yoga and meditation. It is quite ironical, however, that the object seen by Hindu's as a shedding of the ego acts as the extension ego of the rich and famous in the west!

The global hair industry is now worth an estimated £160m and is growing by 25 to 30 per cent each year. Indian hair is particularly sought after because it is cheaper than European varieties and will not have been chemically treated or dyed. Moreover Chinese hair, which globally still makes up the majority of hair exports, is considered too coarse to make good hair extensions.

Over the course of a year, the temple auctions 90 tons of hair, providing revenue of around £3.7m which is then ploughed back into charitable causes, including a number of specialist hospitals. "The money from hair is significant but it isn't our main source of income," says the temple's executive officer, APVN Sharma. "Our primary source is donations but the income from hair is still very important."

The temple has an annual budget of £90m, making it one of the richest religious institutions in India and also one of the country's largest charities. Part of the reason why Tirumala is so popular with devotees and donors is the temple's long tradition of welcoming all visitors regardless of caste and religion.

'Temple hair or rather the idea of it has become fashionable in the West but you must remember that Tirupati and all the Indian temples together contribute only 20 out of every 100 locks of premium hair sold abroad in an extremely fast growing market,' claims EVKS Elangovan, the Minister of State for Textiles and Commerce in Tamil Nadu where most of India's exported hair originates.

'Where the rest comes from we have no idea. In many cases we fear women are being exploited. There are growing concerns over the Indian hair trade. There are no specific restrictions on the import and export of human hair and can be done freely. This is obviously an environment that breeds illegality.'

The human hair business first boomed across India in the Sixties but sales dropped when synthetic alternatives were introduced. Since then complaints of skin allergies, especially by European consumers, once again boosted the demand for natural hair.

The tradition of head shaving amongst Hindus

Many Hindus at the age of 2-3 years take part in the ceremony of 'Mundan', the ceremonial shaving of the hair. There are believed to be health and spiritual benefits to this ceremony, which account for its continuing popularity. Hindu adults may also have their heads shaved at various junctures in their life; for example before a religious pilgrimage or on the death of a relative. Amongst other things, this is viewed as a shedding of the ego, by foregoing the aesthetic vanity that many people attach to their hair.

Throughout the various channels of Hindu thought, overcoming a person's ego is a continuing theme of great importance and for many adults who have a 'Mundan' this is the primary motivating factor.