Top 10 richest temples in India and their staggering net worth

Top 10 richest temples in India and their staggering net worth (images: canva)

India’s richest temples, including Sree Padmanabhaswamy, Tirupati, Shirdi, Vaishno Devi and Golden Temple, manage vast assets in gold, land and donations, using their wealth for social welfare, infrastructure and charity, reflecting centuries of faith and generosity.

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In India, faith and wealth have always shared a deep bond. Many of the richest temples in India are not only sacred centres of devotion but also powerful institutions managing vast assets such as gold, land, donations and investments. From ancient temples with secret vaults to modern shrine boards running hospitals and universities, these religious trusts reflect centuries of belief and generosity.

As of 2026, here is a clear and well explained look at the top 10 richest temples in India and their staggering net worth:

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kerala

Located in Thiruvananthapuram, the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is widely regarded as the richest temple in India and the world. Its immense wealth came into public focus after a Supreme Court-ordered inventory of its underground vaults. Several vaults revealed gold idols, diamond-studded ornaments, rare coins and priceless artefacts. Experts estimate the value of treasures in just one vault to be over Rs 1.2 lakh crore. Since many items are antiques, their cultural and historical value is believed to be far greater than their market price.

Tirumala Tirupati Venkateswara Temple, Andhra Pradesh

Managed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, this temple is among the most financially transparent religious institutions in the country. Recent disclosures suggest its total assets exceed Rs 2.5 lakh crore. These include vast land holdings, buildings, gold deposits and cash reserves. Daily hundi donations, Laddu Prasadam sales and the auction of devotees’ hair contribute significantly to its income, making it one of the highest earning temples in India.

Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, Maharashtra

The Shirdi Sai Baba Temple trust ranks among the richest charitable religious trusts in India. Its annual income typically ranges between Rs 400 crore and Rs 480 crore. Donations come from devotees across religions and countries. Unlike many temples, Shirdi is known for using its wealth extensively for social welfare. The trust operates hospitals, provides free meals daily and supports education through its strong financial reserves and gold assets.

Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu and Kashmir

Situated in the Trikuta Hills, the Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in India, attracting over one crore devotees annually. The shrine is managed by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, with an estimated yearly income of more than Rs 500 crore. Funds are primarily generated through small offerings, prasad sales and donations. The board invests heavily in infrastructure, healthcare, education and facilities for pilgrims.

Golden Temple, Punjab

The Golden Temple in Amritsar is the spiritual heart of Sikhism and a global symbol of service and equality. Its iconic dome and upper floors are covered with an estimated 750 kg to 1,500 kg of pure gold. The temple management committee operates with an annual budget often exceeding Rs 1,000 crore. Most of the income is used for langar services, charity, education and medical aid, feeding over one lakh people free of cost every day.

Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai

Located in Mumbai, the Siddhivinayak Temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha is among the wealthiest temples in Maharashtra. It receives large donations from business leaders, celebrities and politicians. Annual offerings generally range between Rs 100 crore and Rs 125 crore. The temple maintains substantial fixed deposits across banks, and its gold-plated sanctum reflects the prosperity associated with the city.

Jagannath Temple, Odisha

The Jagannath Temple in Puri is considered one of the largest landowning religious institutions in India. Reports indicate the temple owns over 60,000 acres of land across Odisha and other regions. Its treasury, known as the Ratna Bhandar, holds ancient gold and silver ornaments whose exact value remains unassessed. The temple’s wealth is deeply tied to historical endowments and land grants made over centuries.

Meenakshi Amman Temple, Tamil Nadu

An architectural landmark in Madurai, the Meenakshi Amman Temple plays a major role in the region’s tourism economy. The temple owns an extensive collection of antique gold ornaments and diamond studded crowns. These jewels are used during major festivals, drawing large crowds of devotees and tourists. Although precise annual income figures are not always disclosed, the temple is considered one of the richest temples in South India.

Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, Kerala

The Sabarimala Temple is unique due to its limited opening period each year. Despite remaining open only during specific pilgrimage seasons, its earnings are substantial. During peak Mandala-Makaravilakku season, revenue reportedly crosses Rs 300 crore. A significant portion of this income comes from the sale of Aravana Payasam, one of the most popular temple offerings in India.

Somnath Temple, Gujarat

The Somnath Temple stands as a symbol of resilience and faith. Managed by a well-structured trust, the temple has modern facilities and growing tourist inflow. Its annual income and assets run into several crores, which are used for temple maintenance, infrastructure development and local welfare initiatives in the Gir Somnath region.

Disclaimer: The financial figures mentioned above are based on publicly available reports, trust disclosures and estimates as of 2026. The valuation of gold, land and antique jewellery may vary due to market fluctuations and historical assessments.