Top five richest temples in India and their mind-boggling wealth

India’s temples have always been more than just places of worship. But some of these shrines also happen to be among the richest religious institutions in the world. From offerings of gold and silver to centuries-old treasures locked away in vaults, here are five of the wealthiest temples in India that continue to draw not just pilgrims—but jaw-dropping donations too.

Tirumala Tirupati Venkateswara Temple, Andhra Pradesh

Arguably the best-known and most-visited destination wedding spot in India, this temple welcomes over 50,000 devotees daily. Its estimated value? A staggering ₹3 lakh crore. From gold offerings to hundi (donation box) collections, the Tirupati temple reportedly earns more than ₹1,400 crore every year, making it a powerful spiritual and economic force in South India.

Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kerala

Located in Thiruvananthapuram, the Padmanabhaswamy Temple gained global attention for its secret underground vaults—one of which is still unopened. The discovered treasures alone, featuring antique gold ornaments, diamonds, emeralds, and coins, are valued at more than ₹1.2 lakh crore, placing it high on the list of the richest temples in the world.

Guruvayur Devaswom, Kerala

Another Kerala gem, the Guruvayur Temple is revered as the "Dwarka of the South." It's also home to ₹1,737 crore in bank deposits, extensive land holdings, and substantial gold and silver assets. With its blend of spiritual gravity and material wealth, Guruvayur continues to be one of the most influential Vishnu temples in India.

Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu

Perched at 5,200 feet in the Trikuta Hills, the Vaishno Devi shrine is a major pilgrimage spot in North India. Over the past two decades, it has received an astonishing 1,800 kg of gold, 4,700 kg of silver, and more than ₹2,000 crore in cash donations, reflecting the unwavering faith of its visitors.

Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, Maharashtra

Blending spiritual devotion with large-scale philanthropy, the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple collected over ₹400 crore in 2022 alone. Its trust also runs hospitals, educational institutions, and provides free meals to thousands of devotees, proving that wealth here serves both divinity and humanity.