Baby's First Tonsure and Ear Piercing at a Temple

What happens

1. The child's head is shaved and the hair offered to the deity as mudi kaanikkai. At Palani, sandal paste is applied to the head afterwards.
2. The ears are pierced on the same visit. Palani allows tonsure and ear piercing for newborns at the temple, and Samayapuram also does ear boring.
3. At Tirumala, take a computer-generated token at a Kalyanakatta. The barber applies antiseptic before shaving, and the bathrooms have hot water for the bath after.
4. After the bath the family changes into new clothes and goes for darshan to give thanks.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org, tirumala.org · checked 30 Oct 2026

Where families go

• 

  Arulmigu Palani Murugan Temple

  Palani

  Tonsuring is one of Palani's major traditions, and newborns may be tonsured and have their ears pierced at the temple.

  Timings and guide
• 

  Samayapuram Mariamman Temple

  Samayapuram

  Families offer tonsure here as thanksgiving to the goddess, and ear boring is also done at the temple.

  Timings and guide
• 

  Tirumala Venkateswara Temple

  Tirumala

  Pilgrims are tonsured free at the main Kalyanakatta and its mini centres to fulfil their vows to Lord Venkateswara.

  Timings and guide

When to go

Customs vary, so follow your family's. The first tonsure is customarily done between ages 1 and 7, and ear piercing usually between the first and fifth year.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · checked 30 Oct 2026

Before you go

• BookingTonsure is free at Tamil Nadu HR&CE temples such as Palani and Samayapuram. The temple pays the person who performs the tonsure, so no tonsure fee is due.
• BookingTTD says tonsuring is free at all Kalyanakattas. Besides the main centre, nine mini Kalyanakattas serve pilgrims staying in Tirumala's cottages and rest houses.
• What to carryCarry a towel, new clothes and a full change for the baby, a cap for after the shave, and the baby's usual snacks, water and medicines.
• Good to knowEar-piercing fees are not confirmed on any official temple page we could open. Ask at the temple counter and keep the receipt.

• OfficialTTD vows and Kalyanakatta tonsuring (Official)
• OfficialTamil Nadu HR&CE policy note 2024-25, free tonsuring (PDF)
• OfficialPalani Dhandayuthapani temple, HR&CE site (Official)
• OfficialSamayapuram Mariamman temple, HR&CE site (Official)

Rituals, fees and timings are set by each temple. Where the temple sells a seva or ticket, book it only on its official channel.

Sources: cms.tn.gov.in, tirumala.org · checked 30 Oct 2026