Even some of her close friends wouldn’t deny she can be eccentric at times, but we suspect it’s often because they are confused whether Sapna Bhavnani is serious or just serving up a private joke with a straight face. What do you make of an apparent atheist who’s appointed herself the high priestess of a temple that’s dedicated to snipped locks left behind at her salon? Inspired by the tradition followed by the Tirupati temple and dedicated to half male-half female ‘hair God Anãan’ who doubles up as a champion of gender equality, the Bandra-based hair stylist has suggested that hair has mystical powers. She’s getting film and cricket stars to visit her hair temple and make appropriate offerings at the altar, and hopefully Anãan will fulfill their wishes.
The temple precints where the idol is installed has been thoughtfully designed to be a hang-out spot with free WiFi and a bar that serves smoothies. With the “donation box” fast filling up, we’re curious to know just what Sapna plans to do with the holy offerings. No, they won’t be used to make wigs (mad or what?) but be deferentially dropped in the ocean. “They are not just some locks of hair, you see, they are people’s wishes...”
