Know why devotees donate their hair to Tirupati Balaji

Tirupati Balaji: The world-famous Tirupati Balaji is located in the Chittoor region of Andhra Pradesh, on the Tirumala hill close to Tirupati, where Lord Vishnu is revered as Venkateshwara. Lord Vishnu and his spouse, Padmavati (Mata Lakshmi), dwell at Tirumala. Tell us about Balaji and the reason why followers give their hair here.

Tirupati Balaji’s story

Two tales about the Tirupati Balaji temple are discovered. His Varaha avatar is the subject of the first narrative, while Mata Lakshmi and her Venkateshwara form are the subject of the second.

First Story: The world was covered by water in the past. In other words, there was no more ground on which to walk. This is claimed to have occurred when the wind god rushed frantically to put out the fierce fire, which caused the clouds to burst, causing severe rain and submerging the ground. Vishnu subsequently assumed the Adi Varaha avatar in order to bring the world back to life.

During this existence, he used his tusks to bring the underwater land to the surface. Following this, people began to live again thanks to the yogic abilities of Brahma and Adi Varaha. Later, at Brahma’s request, he took on the form of a creature and lived on Kridachala Vimana with his better half, Bhoodevi, who had four hands. He also made the decision to impart knowledge and blessings to the people, such as Dhyana Yoga and Karma Yoga.

Second Story: Adi Varaha departed Venkatadri Mountain at the beginning of Kalyug to see his Loka, which alarmed Brahma, who then requested that Narada bring Vishnu back. One day, Narada visited the Ganga bank, where the sage was perplexed as to which of the three gods would get the rewards of our Yagya. To dispel his worries, Narada gave Bhrigu this assignment. When Lord Shiva and Vishnu ignored Bhrigu Rishi’s appeals to all the gods, he grew enraged. Bhrigu Rishi kicked Vishnu Ji in the chest in anger. Nevertheless, supposing that the Rishi’s feet could be hurting, Vishnu Ji massaged them. When Rishi Bhrigu saw this, he told all the sages that Lord Vishnu would always get the benefits of their yagya.

But when Shri Hari Vishnu kicked Mother Lakshmi’s chest, she grew enraged. She wanted Lord Vishnu to punish Rishi Bhrigu since she could not stand her husband’s insult, but this did not occur. Consequently, she left Vaikunth and proceeded to Karveerapura (Kolhapur) to do penance and begin meditation.

However, Vishnu Ji was disappointed because Mother Lakshmi had abandoned him. He eventually returned to Earth as well and began looking for Mother Lakshmi. He searched the hills and the woodland but was unable to locate the mother. At last, distressed, Vishnu Ji began to take refuge in an ant’s home on the Venkatadri mountain. Brahma Ji chose to assist him after realizing this. He went to Mala Lakshmi in the guise of a cow and a calf.

When the goddess Lakshmi spotted him, she gave him to the Chola monarch who was in power at the time. She was given to a shepherd by the monarch. However, the shepherd attempted to kill the cow since it would only provide milk to Srinivasa in the shape of Vishnu Ji. After saving the cow and attacking the shepherd, Srinivasa became enraged and cursed the Chola monarch to be born as a demon. When the king pleaded for forgiveness, Srinivasa said that he would only get it if he married me to his daughter Padmavati.

When Goddess Lakshmi (Padmavati) learned of this, she went there and recognized Shri Hari. Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi Ji then hugged and turned into stone. After then, Brahma and Shiv stepped in and explained the reason for this birth. According to legend, Venkateshwara Swamy was formerly the avatar of Shri Hari Vishnu. He allegedly took on this form in order to save humanity from the hardships of Kaliyuga.

Because Maa Lakshmi is also a part of this manifestation of God, it is customary to dress Balaji in both men’s and women’s clothing. Every day, Balaji is decked out in a sari above and a dhoti below.

Why do people in Tirupati Balaji have their hair cut?

It is said that the purpose of hair donation is to help Lord Venkateshwara pay back the amount that Kubera owed. According to the legend, Padmavati and Lord Venkateshwara were wedded. At that time, it was customary for the groom to pay a fee to the bride’s family before the marriage. Since Lord Venkateswara could not afford this, he borrowed money from Kubera Devta and married Padmavati, vowing to pay back all of Kubera’s debt at the end of Kaliyuga.

Additionally, he pledged on behalf of Goddess Lakshmi that she would give him 10 times more money if any devotee assisted him in paying back his obligation. For this reason, when Lord Vishnu devotees go to Tirupati, they donate their hair to assist Lord Vishnu in paying back his loan.