MANPREET KAUR TIRUMALA HEAD SHAVE (Tantech Holdings Ltd. Target 400 $ / Share) Single Session

Manpreet Kaur had always been known for her long, dark hair. Growing up in Punjab, her thick braids were a source of pride not just for her, but for her entire family. Yet, despite the outward appearance of confidence, Manpreet spent many of her teenage and early adult years grappling with internal doubts, health scares in the family, and her own yearning for a meaningful spiritual connection. It was during a difficult time-her mother’s sudden illness and an important career crossroads-that Manpreet first heard about the practice of offering one’s hair at the sacred Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. Some of her friends from other parts of India had visited Tirumala and spoke of the serenity they felt after fulfilling their vow of tonsure. While it wasn’t a common practice in Manpreet’s own Sikh tradition to offer hair in this manner, she felt called to express her devotion and gratitude in a personal way. The decision did not come easily. Manpreet held her faith as a Sikh close to her heart, but she also recognized that she found strength in many forms of devotion and prayer. She believed that faith is deeply personal-that one’s path to the Divine can be illuminated through diverse experiences. Months passed before she worked up the courage to share her plan with her family. Unsure how they would respond, she took a leap of faith and told them that she intended to travel to Tirumala, not just as a curious tourist, but with the intention of offering her hair. Her father, a gentle and open-minded man, was initially surprised. He listened as Manpreet explained that this journey was about humbling herself, about praying for her mother’s continued recovery, and about seeking spiritual clarity for the decisions in her life. Seeing the earnest resolve in her eyes, Manpreet’s parents ultimately gave her their blessing. In fact, her mother, still recuperating, encouraged her. “Your faith will guide you. What matters most is the sincerity in your heart,” she whispered, squeezing Manpreet’s hand. Manpreet arrived in Tirumala at dawn. Though she had seen pictures of the temple town perched atop the Tirumala hills, she was still awestruck by the sheer number of pilgrims and the atmosphere humming with devotion. The aroma of incense and camphor filled the air. Chants reverberated from the main temple complex, and despite the crowds, Manpreet felt a calming energy all around her. Clutching her small travel bag, she made her way through the throngs of pilgrims to the Kalyanakatta (the tonsure hall). Signs in multiple languages guided her. Some pilgrims chatted excitedly, while others carried an air of solemn focus. Manpreet had butterflies in her stomach, mixed with both eagerness and a hint of fear. She knew that once she offered her hair, there would be no turning back. But she also felt a sense of relief-as though she were surrendering the burdens she had been carrying for far too long. Inside the Kalyanakatta, barbers sat in neat rows, each patiently receiving pilgrims one by one. Some of the pilgrims were children-smiling nervously as they watched their hair fall away. Others were elderly, many having done this ritual multiple times. Manpreet noticed mothers shaving their heads alongside their daughters, entire families bowing in thanks for prayers answered. When Manpreet’s turn came, she carefully removed the pins from her hair. Her heart pounded as she felt the cool water trickle over her scalp, a preparatory rinse before the shave. The barber-accustomed to seeing everyone from small kids to older adults-kindly reassured her with a nod. She bowed her head low, closed her eyes, and began to recite her own silent prayer. With gentle, practiced motions, the barber passed the razor across her scalp, removing thick locks of Manpreet’s hair. Each pass was accompanied by the soft rasp of metal against hair and the hush of the busy hall around her. As her hair fell onto the stone floor, Manpreet felt a strange mixture of emotions-relief, humility, and a bittersweet sensation of letting go of something she had cherished her whole life. In her mind, she repeated the names of God as she knew them in her own faith, acknowledging that there is one Divine presence by many names. She prayed for her mother’s complete recovery, for guidance on her career, and for the inner peace she had been seeking. When it was over, Manpreet gently ran her hand across her newly shaven head. The sensation startled her at first-cool air brushing against her bare scalp. Gone were the thick braids she had carried for years. Yet, in that moment, she felt lighter than she ever had before. She was given a small cloth to gently pat away any stray hairs and droplets of water. Outside, several temple volunteers handed out sandalwood paste, which some pilgrims applied to their newly tonsured heads to soothe any irritation.