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On October 31, 2025, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams in India received donations worth **** million Indian rupees. Donations are typically collected in Hundis, which are a medieval Indian invention for transferring credit. Contributions from devotees at the Tirupati temple are used by the temple management for various purposes, including the maintenance and upkeep of the temple, offering free meals to devotees, and supporting various charitable activities.

Devotion through tonsuring

Tirupati, one of the busiest temples in India receives over ** thousand pilgrims daily. In addition to the high volume of pilgrims, the site also sees a significant number of daily tonsures. The practice of tonsure, considered a symbol of devotion to Lord Venkateshwara remains an essential part of temple worship. The tonsured hair is collected and sold for use in creating hair extensions and wigs, making a substantial contribution to India's hair export industry.

Religious tourism: opportunities for growth

India’s temple towns play a crucial role in fueling both formal and informal economies, by creating employment opportunities for local communities. In recent years, the government has taken several steps to improve religious tourism through initiatives such as the Swadesh Darshan and PRASAD scheme. These schemes focus on creating infrastructure and encouraging private partnership in developing spiritual tourism in the country.