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A year ago, Manibhen Yashwanthpur prayed to Lord Venkateshwara asking him to cure her abusive husband of alcoholism. It worked, and today she is offering her hair to the god. Offering hair at temples is a common practice in India. Most, like Manibhen, get no money for their hair. "This is a tradition, not a business," says the manager of the temple where Manibhen gets her head shaved. Despite what the temple manager says, however, it is a business -- one that provides Indian temples with money for improvements and charity. And which provides Westerners with the flowing locks they've always wanted.
Pablo Bartholomew / Netphotograph

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SDTC Exports in Bangalore is one of India's leading exporters of hair to Europe and elsewhere. Many such companies in India compete with each other for temples to keep them supplied with hair. The hair is separated and carefully boxed. Often the hair is mixed together, but in the case of Manibhen's hair, it was packaged separately.
Pablo Bartholomew / Netphotograph