Legendary Head Shave Tales
It all started one lazy Thursday afternoon. Four friends were chilling at Prachi’s place. The sun was too hot, and everyone looked bored. Prachi, the stylish and rich one, leaned back and said, “Guys, this city is making me go mad. I need a break, like seriously.” Satish, the loud and funny guy, jumped in, “Trip? Yes please! Say beach or hills, I’ll pack my lungi right now!”
Suraksha, calm and traditional, gave a small smile and said, “I want to go to Palani temple. I made a vow. I have to shave my head there.” Everyone went silent for a second. Prachi blinked. “Wait, you’re really going to shave your head? Like totally?”
Suraksha nodded. “When my mom was very sick, I prayed to Lord Murugan. I told Him if she got better, I’ll offer my hair.” Satish widened his eyes, “Aiyo, you’re not joking? That’s big!” Praveen, the quiet and kind one, looked at her with respect. He said, “That’s really something. You’re strong for doing it.”
Prachi nodded slowly. “Okay… I’ll come with you. Not for shaving, okay, just to support.” Satish clapped. “Yenna da, spiritual trip with friends. Let’s do it!” They all agreed, and the plan was set.
The journey began early morning in Praveen’s car. The road was long, filled with trees and hills. Old Ilaiyaraaja songs and some devotional Murugan songs played on the speakers. Satish was full of jokes. “If I climb all those steps, I’ll need a stretcher to come back.” Prachi laughed. “You better pray for your knees.”
Suraksha sat silently, She looked peaceful, lost in thoughts. Praveen noticed. He quietly passed her a bottle of water. She smiled and said, “Thanks, Praveen.” After a long drive, they reached Palani. The place was alive—chants of “Muruga, Muruga” everywhere. People climbed the steps barefoot, some crying, some singing.
The car finally rolled into Palani town just as the afternoon sun started turning golden. The air buzzed with temple bells and distant chants of “Muruga, Muruga.” The streets were crowded—pilgrims in orange robes, small stalls selling coconuts, vibuthi packets, and jasmine flowers. Satish wiped his forehead. “Yappa, this heat ah… full spiritual sauna.”
Prachi groaned, “First stop—lodge. My feet are protesting.” They parked the car and checked into a small but clean lodge near the hill. Two rooms—one for the girls, one for the boys. Simple beds, tiled floors, a buzzing fan overhead. No luxury, but it had that pilgrim-town charm. Suraksha said, “Now I’ll go to the tonsure center. You all wait here if you want.”
Prachi said, “No ya, we’ll come with you. You don’t have to be alone.” The four of them walked to the tonsure area. Suraksha gave her coconut to the staff and sat down. Praveen stepped closer and asked, “Are you okay?” She looked at him and smiled. “Yes… I’ve waited for this.”
The barber was about to begin when she spoke softly, “Anna… leave one long tuft at the center, back side. Don’t shave that.” The barber nodded, tied her thick hair into a high braid, and separated a small section at the crown, tying it aside. He poured water over her head, soaked the rest of her hair, and sharpened his razor. Then came the first stroke.
Schrrk… schrrk… Hair slid off clean as the blade moved skillfully across her scalp. She closed her eyes in Silence. Nobody spoke. Even Satish was silent. Strands of black hair dropped around her feet. The razor moved from front to back, left to right, until only the tied tuft remained. With the last stroke done, he wiped her head, and let the tuft fall loosely behind, he took the scissorsand reduced its length . Suraksha stood up—scalp smooth, shining, and the long tuft swaying gently in the breeze.
After Suraksha’s head shave, the group walked back to the lodge. Suraksha’s bald scalp gleamed in the sunlight, with the long tuft swaying softly at the back, a striking contrast to her smooth, bare skin. Prachi and Satish were quiet, respecting her moment, while Praveen gave a nod of approval, recognizing the strength in Suraksha’s vow.
The group made their way up the steep steps, the sun climbing higher, as Suraksha’s bald head gleamed in the light, the long tuft of hair swaying gently at the back. Praveen walked beside her, noticing her calm resolve. “This means a lot to you,” he said softly. Suraksha smiled, her voice steady. “It’s more than the vow. It’s peace, faith, and gratitude.”
At the top, the Murugan idol stood majestically, radiating divine presence. Suraksha stepped forward, her smooth scalp and long tuft reflecting her devotion. As she stood before the idol, Praveen simply said, “Your faith is inspiring.” Suraksha, with her quiet strength, offered her prayer, her bald head and tuft a symbol of her deep connection to the divine.
On the way back, the car was quieter. Everyone was tired, but peaceful. Prachi looked out of the window and said, “I didn’t expect this trip to feel so deep. Maybe next time I’ll take the deeksha too.” Satish replied, “Just don’t ask me to go bald. I’ll hide.” They all laughed. Praveen kept sneaking glances at Suraksha. Even without hair, she looked more beautiful to him than ever.
He admired how strong and calm she was. And Suraksha noticed him too. She noticed how he was always there, without needing to say too much. After dropping everyone off, Praveen and Suraksha sat in the car, the evening light casting a soft glow. Suraksha’s bald head glistened in the fading sun, her long tuft swaying gently at the back. As they sat in comfortable silence, both of them seemed to be holding back words, but then, at the same time, they spoke. Suraksha, breaking the stillness, said, “Praveen, you’ve always been there for me. You’ve made this journey unforgettable.”
Praveen, his gaze drawn to her smooth, shining scalp and the delicate tuft of hair, replied, “I’ve always admired your strength, Suraksha. The way you carry yourself… with grace, even in this change.” He gently touched her hand, his voice dropping to a whisper. “You’re more beautiful than ever.”
Suraksha’s heart skipped a beat as she met his eyes. The words felt heavy with meaning, and in that moment, she realized how much he truly saw her. The stillness between them grew intense, charged with emotion. Praveen, unable to hold back, took a deep breath. “Suraksha… I can’t imagine my life without you. Will you stay by my side, always?”
Her breath caught as she saw the sincerity in his eyes. With a soft smile, her hand found his, and she replied, “Yes, Praveen. I feel the same.” In that instant, their world narrowed down to just the two of them. Finally they reached at Suraksha’s house. After Suraksha stepped out of the car and walked toward her gate, her bald head gleaming in the fading light, Praveen couldn’t shake the feeling that something was unfinished between them.
Without any hint , Suraksha turned around and ran back to him, her long tuft swaying behind her. She threw herself into his arms, pressing her smooth, bald head against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer, a smile spreading across his face. Suraksha’s bald head and long tuft seemed to shine in the evening sunlight. They stayed there, wrapped in each other’s arms, a perfect silence between them that spoke volumes. Praveen, his voice soft, whispered, “This feels right… just you and me.” Suraksha smiled, pulling back slightly to look at him, her eyes sparkling. “Yeah,” she whispered, “just us.”
