The Tirupati Balaji temple is rightly called the Bhuloka Vaikuntam- the abode of Vishnu on earth. It is believed that Lord Vishnu has manifested Himself in this temple during the Kali age to guide his devotees towards salvation. Lord Balaji, during his regime on earth, lost some of his hair in an unexpected mishap. A Gandharva Princess named Neela Devi quickly cut a portion of her glorious mane and offered her chopped locks humbly to the deity and requested him to plant them on his head. Pleased with her devotion, the god accepted the kind offering and promised that whoever visits his shrine and sacrifices his/her hair at his feet will be blessed.
