India, a land of diverse cultural and religious beliefs, has witnessed the rise of temples that are not only to seek solace at the feet of God but retreat to the eyes of the believers. For a very long time, immemorial Hindu dynasties have commissioned the temples which could be termed as the flagship of their inclination towards art and culture.
There are several temples in India that have been reckoned to be places of immense faith and miracle and thus draw a large number of devotees from all corners of the world. Their sacred entities and affluent architecture have earned them unparalleled fame.
However, many temples had to undergo renovation with the help of donations made by devotees (donations were made to show gratitude to God). To show their gratitude towards God, the devotees have donated sacks of gold, silver and diamonds, which have become the possessions of the temples. Here is a glimpse of the temples which earn in crores every year:
20 Most Famous Richest Temples in India
- Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kerala
- Tirumala Tirupati Venkateswara Temple, Andhra Pradesh
- Shirdi Saibaba Shrine, Maharashtra
- Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu and Kashmir
- Siddhivinayak Temple, Maharashtra
- Golden Temple, Punjab
- Meenakshi Temple, Tamil Nadu
- Jagannath Temple, Odisha
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Uttar Pradesh
- Somnath Temple, Gujarat
- Amarnath Temple, Jammu & Kashmir
- Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, Kerala
- Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, Delhi
- Mahalaxmi Temple, Maharashtra
- Lingaraj Temple, Odisha
- Guruvayurappan Temple, Kerala
- Kamakhya Temple, Assam
- Mahabodhi Temple, Bihar
- Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, Tamil Nadu
- Lotus Temple, Delhi
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Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kerala
Location: W Nada, East Fort, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
The richest temple in the country, the shrine of Lord Padmanabhaswamy possesses a wealth of around $20 billion in the hidden chambers of the temple. The golden idol of Lord Vishnu found in this temple is worth Rs. 500 Crores. The treasure that was reported to be found in Padmanabhaswamy Temple includes antique gold ornaments, gold crowns, precious ornaments, silver and diamonds. The gold necklace adding charm to the divinity of the deity is 18 ft long and weighs around 2.5kg.
Website: https://www.sreepadmanabhaswamytemple.org/
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Tirumala Tirupati Venkateswara Temple, Andhra Pradesh
Location: S Mada Street, Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
A decade before, Tirupati temple was revered as the richest temple in the country. But after the hidden treasure discovered by the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Tirupati has gone down to the second position in terms of possessing wealth. Every day around 60,000 devotees visit the Venkateswara Temple. The presiding deity of the temple, Lord Venkateswara is clad with 1000 kgs of gold. The annual income earned by selling prasad is around 11 million dollars. It is also estimated that the temple gets donations of around 650 crores every year.
Website: http://www.tirumala.org/
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Shirdi Saibaba Shrine, Maharashtra
Location: Shirdi in Rahata Taluka of Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra
Irrespective of the different religions of people, Indians have a strong belief in the miracles of Sai Baba. A great Hindu Saint, Sai Baba is believed to have lived in the village of Shirdi for most of his life, preaching his principles and performing miracles. And perhaps this is the reason why people donate so much to this temple that it has earned a position in one of the richest temples in the country. Visited by people of all religions this divine travel destination possesses gold and silver worth Rs 32 crores. The throne on which the deity is seated is made of 94 kgs of pure gold. The annual donation received by the temple reaches up to an amount of around 360 crores.
Website: https://shrisaibabasansthan.org.in/
Also Read: Popular Pilgrimage Destinations in Mahrashtra
Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu & Kashmir
Location: Katra, Jammu and Kashmir
One of India’s oldest and richest temples, the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is visited by millions of devotees from across the world. Located at a height of 5300 feet above sea level, the temple is connected to the stories of Indian mythology. Every year around eight million pilgrims visit this temple and it is claimed to be the second most-visited temple in India after Tirupati. Centre of deep-rooted religious beliefs of the Hindus, the temple has an annual income of around 500 crores.
Website: https://www.maavaishnodevi.org/
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Siddhivinayak Temple, Maharashtra
Location: SK Bole Marg, Prabhadevi, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Make a wild guess about the number of assets a temple might possess? The annual income of the Siddhivinayak Temple ranges from Rs 48 crores to Rs 125 crores. An important tourist destination, the Siddhivinayak Temple is visited by almost two lakh people every day. The dome over the main shrine of Lord Ganesha is coated with 3.7 kgs gold. The black stone idol of Lord Ganesha found in this temple is around 200 years old. The temple was converted to a six-storey building in 1990 making it an architectural marvel.
Website: https://www.siddhivinayak.org/
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Golden Temple, Punjab
Location: Amritsar, Punjab
The most famous religious centre of the Sikh community, Harmandir Sahib or Golden Temple attracts globetrotters because of its arresting golden colour and exclusive architectural beauty. This charismatic golden shrine is adorned with gold and silver detailing and looks imposing at night for its strikingly illuminated golden dome. A blend of Indo-Islamic and Indo-European touch lends the temple a divine aura. The canopy of the temple is made of pure gold. The altar on which the holy book of Guru Granth Sahib is placed is studded with precious diamonds and expensive gems. Around 40,000 visitors are believed to seek blessings at this divine shrine on a daily basis.
Website: https://www.goldentempleamritsar.org/
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Meenakshi Temple, Tamil Nadu
Location: Madurai, Tamil Nadu
One of the few temples in India that receive 20-30 thousand people every day, Meenakshi Temple earns a revenue of around 60 million every year. The temple enshrines around 33,000 sculptures in its periphery. Goddess Meenakshi, the wife of Sundareshwar (Lord Shiva) is the principal deity of the temple. There are fourteen gopurams in the temple which vary in heights from 45–50 metres. The temple houses two golden vimanas, which multiply the scenic opulence of this popular Hindu Shrine. Meenakshi Temple is believed to have a net worth of 6 crores.
Website: https://www.maduraimeenakshi.org/
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Jagannath Temple, Odisha
Location: Grand Road, Puri, Odisha
According to a report published in 2010, the bank deposits of Lord Jagannath Temple was about to reach 150 crores. More than 30,000 devotees throng the shrine every day and around 70,000 per day in the festive season. The idol of the deity is believed to be decorated with 209 kgs of gold during the festive season. One of the pious sites of Char Dham Yatra, it is said that there are hidden chambers inside the Jagannath Temple which has not been opened yet and may contain immense wealth. Lord Jagannath has 30,000 acres of land, registered under his name. A European devotee once donated 1.72 crore rupees through the State Bank of India.
Website: https://jagannath.nic.in/
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Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Uttar Pradesh
Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
One of the most celebrated religious travel destinations in the country, Kashi Vishwanath Temple still stands in glory despite being looted and demolished several times in the past. It is estimated that around three million domestic and 200,000 foreign tourists visit this temple annually. The annual donations to Kashi Vishwanath come to a figure of around Rs 4-5 crores. Out of the three domes of the temple, two domes are gold plated. The net worth of the temple is estimated to be INR 6 crores.
Website: https://shrikashivishwanath.org/
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Somnath Temple, Gujarat
Location: Prabhas Kshetra near Veraval in Saurashtra, Gujarat
A temple that had been looted and demolished by the invaders around seventeen times for its brimming gold and silver repository, Somnath Temple still possesses enough assets to be called one of the richest temples in India. Exclusive architectural design, immense religious significance and the involvement of advanced scientific method in its construction make this religious site a traveller’s delight. Even though its assets are undisclosed, this temple possesses 1700 acres of land making it on the list of the richest temples of India.
Website: https://www.somnath.org/
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Amarnath Temple, Jammu & Kashmir
Location: Baltal Amarnath Trek, Forest Block, Anantnag, Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir
Despite being aware of the difficulties they will face, Hindu devotees from across the world wish to visit Amarnath Temple at least once in their lifetime. During the winter season, an ice sculpture is formed miraculously in the form of shiva lingam every year. According to the legend, this cave is where Lord Shiva disclosed the true meaning of life and eternity to Goddess Parvati. In 2014, more than 2.44 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at Amarnath Yatra.
Website: https://www.shriamarnathjishrine.com/
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Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, Kerala
Location: Sabarimala, Pampa Triveni, Pathanamthitta, Kerala
Perched on a small hill at a height of 3000 feet above sea level, Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappan. It is believed that for a devotee to visit the main shrine, he has to follow a 41-days ritual, deprived of any worldly pleasure. Visited by as many as 40-50 million devotees every year, Sabarimala Temple claims to be at the top of the list in terms of devotees visiting the temple. The interesting fact about the temple is that only men are allowed to enter this temple. The major source of income for the temple is the prasad offered to the deity. During the 2011-2012 pilgrimage season the total income was Rs 218 crores.
Website: https://travancoredevaswomboard.org/
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Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, Delhi
Location: Noida Mor, New Delhi
A treat to the eyes of an architectural enthusiast, Akshardham Temple is the newest entry to this list. One of the most fascinating elements of Delhi tourism, this gorgeous Hindu shrine attracts hundreds of thousands of travellers every year. The idol of Swaminarayan is made of pure gold while the gurus are covered in leaf. It is delightful to know that the Swaminarayan temple holds the Guinness Book of World Record for being the World’s Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple.
Website: https://akshardham.com/
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Mahalaxmi Temple, Maharashtra
Location: Shiv Prabhu Nagar, Survey Nagar, Kolhapur, Maharashtra
One of the 51 Shaktipeethas in India dedicated to Goddess Durga, Mahalaxmi Temple in Kolhapur also ranks on the list of the richest temples in India. The idol of the principal deity is made of black stone and is adorned with eye-catching gold and silver jewelry. According to a report, the total income of this temple came to Rs. 14,66,83,000 during the accounting year 2013-14.
Website: https://www.mahalaxmiabhishekamseva.com/
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Lingaraj Temple, Odisha
Location: Lingaraj Road, Old Town, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha
A popular seat of Lord Shiva, Lingaraj Temple witnesses a crowd of around 6000 visitors every day and around 2 lakh visitors during the festival of Shivaratri. A breathtaking specimen of Kalinga architecture, this temple earns an annual income of more than 1.2 million from donation and another 4 million is collected from other sources like rents from shops, cycle stands and agricultural lands. One of the few places where opium is legal and served as a prasad, Lingaraj Temple houses fifty small shrines in its complex.
Also Check out: Complete Odisha Travel Guide
Guruvayurappan Temple, Kerala
Location: Guruvayur Devaswom, East Nada, Guruvayur, Kerala
Another temple of Kerala makes it to the list of the richest temples in the country. Guruvayurapan Temple is dedicated to the baby form of Lord Krishna where the idol is four-armed with a conch, disc, mace and a lotus in each hand. Every day around 50,000 devotees visit this temple to seek blessings from the Almighty. Popularly referred to as the Dwarka of South India, the total worth of the temple’s assets amounts to 2500 Crores.
Website: https://guruvayurdevaswom.nic.in/Home
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Kamakhya Temple, Assam
Location: Kamakhya, Guwahati, Assam
The only Indian temple to celebrate womanhood, Kamakhya Temple is not only a spiritual shrine but also a popular tourist attraction in Assam. Out of the 51 Shaktipeethas, this temple is one of the four most powerful centres of divinity in the country. It is believed that while Lord Shiva carried the burnt body of Mata Sati, her womb fell at this particular place rendering it pious. The deity bleeds for three days during a particular period as a sign of womanhood. Thousands of devotees visit this temple for its unique importance.
Website: https://www.maakamakhya.org/
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Mahabodhi Temple, Bihar
Location: Bodh Gaya, Bihar
Popularly known as the ‘Great Awakening Temple’, the Mahabodhi Temple complex is the exact place where Lord Buddha attained salvation. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temple welcomes thousands of devotees every month. A major Buddhist center, the complex houses the Bodhi Tree which is the direct descendant of the original tree under which Buddha meditated and attained moksha. Known for its great Buddhist scriptures and manuscripts, Mahabodhi Temple’s net worth is estimated to be 106 Crores.
Website: https://bodhgayatemple.com/
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Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, Tamil Nadu
Location: Dindigul, Palani, Tamil Nadu
Located on the Palani Hills of Tamil Nadu, Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan, another name of Lord Kartikeya. According to the legend, Lord Shiva decided to reward one of his sons who would first encircle the world thrice. Lord Ganesha walked around his parents thrice referring to them as the world itself and won the competition. When Lord Murugan arrived and witnessed that he had lost. He left his heavenly abode and landed at Palani Hills to live as a hermit. His idol is believed to be made of nine poisonous elements which when mixed forms an eternal medicine. Thousands of devotees visit this divine abode for a healthy recovery from various ailments. The estimated earning of the temple during the year 2011 was INR 87 Crores.
Website: http://palanimurugantemple.org/
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Lotus Temple, Delhi
Location: Lotus Temple Road, Bahapur, Kalkaji, New Delhi
One of the seven Baha’i House of Worship around the world, Lotus Temple is a magnificent tourist attraction as well as a holy temple. Open for people of every faith, this temple stands for oneness and brotherhood. The first Iranian-style architectural building, Lotus Temple is one of the most visited places in the world. Built in the form of a blooming lotus, this temple is an excellent example of architectural brilliance.
Website: https://bahaihouseofworship.in/
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India is a land of myths, traditions and legends wrapped around a building referred to as a temple. You can find a hidden temple at every nook and corner of the country with an ancient legend attached to it. Indians believe in the superiority of God above everything else and show their gratitude in the form of magnificent temples and large donations. Time and again, the great rulers of the nation have patronised various temples to show their gratitude towards the blessings showered by the Gods. The idols are decorated with pure gold, silver, diamond and precious stones donated by the devotees. It is their way of thanking the Almighty for everything they have done for mankind.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q.Which is the richest temple of India?
The richest temple of India is Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala.
Q.When was the treasure discovered in the Padmanabhaswamy Temple?
The treasure was discovered in the hidden chambers of the temple on 27th June 2011.
Q. What is the main source of income for Tirumala Tirupati Venkateswara Temple?
The main source of income for Tirupati Temple is the selling of prasad and donations made by hundreds of thousands of devotees every day.
Q.How many devotees visit the shrine of Vaishno Devi every year?
According to reports, around three million people visit Vaishno Devi every year, thus making it the second most-visited temple in the country.
Q.Is the Golden Temple made of real gold?
The upper half of the shrine is made of 400 kgs of 24-karat gold, which is the purest form of metal.
About the author
Sheetal is a passionate traveler of paths less travelled. If curiosity to see places was a person, it would have been her for sure. Impromptu plans run her life. She only has one motive in life, i.e., happily roaming the world. Get on board with her journey to a life filled with places, people and magic!
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