India is home to countless temples that are not just centres of deep spiritual significance, but custodians of immense wealth. These sacred spaces, often centuries old, attract millions of devotees and tourists each year, many of whom contribute generously through offerings of cash, gold, silver, and precious stones. Over time, such donations, and the vast land pieces these temple trusts own have elevated them to the ranks of wealthiest religious institutions in the country. (Image: AFP)
No. 1 Tirumala Tirupati Venkateswara Temple, Andhra Pradesh | Nestled in the Tirumala Hills, this temple is among the wealthiest religious sites globally, with an estimated value of ₹3 lakh crore. It welcomes nearly 50,000 pilgrims each day and earns an annual revenue of approximately ₹1,400 crore through offerings, gold, and other valuable contributions. (Image: Shutterstock)
No 2. Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | Regarded as the richest temple in the world, Padmanabhaswamy Temple holds assets worth ₹1.2 lakh crore. Its treasure trove comprises gold ornaments, diamonds, antique silver, and emeralds. The discovery of a concealed vault in 2015 further added to its immense fortune. (Image: Shutterstock)
No 3. Guruvayur Devaswom, Guruvayur, Kerala | This historic shrine, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is notable for its considerable wealth. It holds bank deposits totalling ₹1,737.04 crore and possesses 271.05 acres of land. Additionally, it has a vast reserve of gold, silver, and gemstones. (Image: Shutterstock)
No 4. Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu | Perched at an altitude of 5,200 feet, this revered temple devoted to Goddess Durga ranks among India’s richest. Between 2000 and 2020, it received offerings of more than 1,800 kilograms of gold, 4,700 kilograms of silver, and cash donations exceeding ₹2,000 crore.
No 5. Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, Maharashtra | Located around 296 km from Mumbai, this temple sees around 25,000 devotees each day. Established in 1922, it garnered donations of over ₹400 crore in 2022. The temple also operates two hospitals and offers free meals to thousands of pilgrims daily. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
No 6. Golden Temple, Amritsar | Celebrated for its magnificent architecture and gold-plated structure, the Golden Temple serves as the spiritual nucleus of Sikhism. Completed in 1581, it is reported to generate an annual income of around ₹500 crore. (Image: Reuters)
No 7. Meenakshi Temple, Madurai | Famed for its elaborate architectural design and lively religious festivals, the Meenakshi Temple draws more than 20,000 visitors each day. It is estimated to earn ₹60 million annually.
No 8. Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai | Situated in the Prabhadevi locality of Mumbai, this Ganesh temple is one of the wealthiest in the country, with an estimated value of ₹125 crore. It receives daily offerings worth ₹30 lakh and houses a gold-adorned idol weighing 4 kilograms.
No 9. Somnath Temple, Gujarat | A prominent pilgrimage destination, the Somnath Temple is believed to enshrine the first of the 12 jyotirlingas. The temple features 130 kilograms of gold in its sanctum and an additional 150 kilograms on its spire. (Image: Shutterstock)
No 10. Sri Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha | Dating back to the 11th century, this sacred site is a key part of the Char Dham Yatra. It is estimated to be worth ₹150 crore and possesses roughly 30,000 acres of land. (Image: PTI)
