Reliance Industries Executive Director Anant Ambani visited the Tirumala temple on June 28, 2026, participating in the Suprabhata Seva and completing the ancient hair tonsure ritual. Alongside his spiritual pilgrimage, Ambani pledged 25 electric buses valued at ₹27.5 crore to support the temple's green transport infrastructure.
TIRUMALA, India — Anant Ambani, Executive Director of Reliance Industries, visited the sacred hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara Swamy during the early hours of June 28, 2026, to participate in traditional rituals and fulfill a centuries-old custom. During his spiritual visit, Ambani underwent a complete tonsure ceremony, donating his hair to the deity in a highly symbolic gesture of humility, devotion, and the surrender of ego.
The pilgrimage attracted notable interest from both temple management and ongoing worshippers, as Ambani's long hair had previously been one of his most recognizable visual features. Beyond the traditional hair donation ritual, the corporate leader announced a major green mobility initiative for the holy city, pledging 25 advanced electric buses valued at approximately ₹27.5 crore to the temple’s governing board to enhance sustainable visitor transport.
Fulfilling the Sacred Tonsure Custom at Tirupati
The practice of hair donation, locally known as Kalyana Katta, remains one of the oldest and most spiritually significant traditions observed at the Tirumala temple. Millions of devotees from across the globe visit the hill shrine annually to sacrifice their hair, symbolizing the shaving away of pride and the physical body's attachment to superficial vanity.
According to historical records maintained by the temple administration, the act commemorates a ancient belief where the Goddess Neela Devi offered her own hair to Lord Venkateswara after he was struck on the head, restoring his divine appearance. Following this spiritual baseline, Ambani arrived at the temple precinct around 1:00 AM to undergo the shaving ritual before progressing to the inner sanctum for the sacred morning prayers.
Religious Services and Multi-Crore Infrastructure Pledge
Following his hair donation, Ambani participated directly in the Suprabhata Seva, the early morning pre-dawn ritual conducted to awaken the deity amid the chanting of Vedic hymns. Dressed in traditional festive attire, he offered special prayers inside the inner sanctum of the Tirumala temple.
Following his darshan, the administrative body of the shrine honored the executive. The senior priests administered the Veda Ashirvachanam (Vedic blessings) at the Ranganayakula Mandapam and presented him with the Srivari Theertha Prasadam along with a ceremonial silk shawl.
To mark the occasion, Ambani extended a significant corporate social responsibility asset to the temple community. He confirmed that Reliance Industries will fully fund and deliver a fleet of 25 electric buses to the temple trust. This comprehensive package includes:
The Vehicle Fleet: 25 zero-emission electric buses optimized for steep ghat road navigation.
Charging Network: Complete financial backing for dedicated high-speed EV charging stations across the hills.
Operational Support: Technical training and long-term operational assistance for local transit drivers.
Impact on Devotes and Local Eco-Tourism
The introduction of the new electric vehicle fleet directly impacts the daily logistics of the thousands of pilgrims who visit the hill shrine daily. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has been actively seeking to cut carbon emissions across the environmentally sensitive Western Ghats biosphere.
The integration of these zero-emission public buses helps minimize the carbon footprint left by heavy passenger traffic on the winding roads connecting Tirupati to the hilltop temple. Local authorities hope this corporate contribution encourages additional clean energy investments from other industrial entities.
Official Sources Section
The logistical details, religious participation, and infrastructure donation data have been verified by statements from regional authorities and corporate representatives:
Quote Section
According to official administrative statements released by the temple's executive desk following the high-profile visit:
"Mr. Anant Ambani completed his pilgrimage in accordance with traditional systems, participating in the Suprabhata Seva and completing the hair tonsure ritual. The generous donation of 25 electric vehicles by Reliance Industries will significantly augment our ongoing efforts to transition Tirumala into a fully sustainable, eco-friendly pilgrim destination."
Why It Matters
The visual of a high-profile corporate figure participating in a traditional tonsure ceremony emphasizes the deep cultural relevance of ancient traditions across modern Indian society. Practically, the multi-million dollar vehicle infrastructure donation addresses real-world logistical pressures on the TTD administration, showcasing how private corporate resources can systematically modernize public transport frameworks at historical heritage sites without compromising sacred cultural environments.
Key Facts at a Glance
The Sacred Ritual: Anant Ambani underwent a full hair tonsure donation at the Tirumala temple on June 28, 2026.
Ritual Significance: The ancient practice represents the absolute surrender of ego, vanity, and pride before Lord Venkateswara.
Green Mobility Donation: Ambani announced a donation of 25 electric buses worth ₹27.5 crore to the temple board.
Infrastructure Support: The donation includes dedicated funding for EV charging stations and operational driver training.
Secondary Pilgrimage: Following the Tirumala darshan, Ambani proceeded to the Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple in Tirupati to conclude his spiritual tour.
FAQ Section
Q: Why do devotees donate their hair at the Tirumala temple? A: Hair donation at the Tirumala temple is a centuries-old tradition symbolizing humility, the shedding of one's ego, and complete devotion to Lord Venkateswara.
Q: What specific religious service did Anant Ambani participate in? A: He took part in the Suprabhata Seva, which is the auspicious, early-morning ritual performed to wake the deity.
Q: How will the 25 electric buses donated by Reliance Industries be used? A: The zero-emission buses will be managed by the TTD to transport pilgrims between Tirupati and the hilltop shrine, helping to reduce pollution along the ghat roads.
Q: Which other temple did Anant Ambani visit during his pilgrimage? A: After completing his rituals at the hilltop Tirumala shrine, he traveled down to Tirupati to offer prayers at the Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple.
Source: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), Reliance Industries Limited Official Portal.
