Here is the list of top 9 richest Temples in India. There are many other temples that are also very wealthy, each with its own unique history and significance. Please note that the exact wealth of these temples is difficult to estimate, as much of it is in the form of jewelry and other valuables that are not easily appraised. However, these temples are all incredibly wealthy and play an important role in the religious and cultural life of India.
- Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It is estimated to be worth over ₹1 trillion (US$12.8 billion). The temple has a vast collection of gold, silver, and jewels, including a 300-pound gold crown and a 600-pound emerald necklace.
2. Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Tirupati. This temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, a form of Vishnu, and is located in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in India and is estimated to have an annual income of over ₹500 billion (US$6.4 billion).
3. Siddhvinayak Temple, Mumbai. This temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and is located in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is estimated to be worth over ₹100 billion (US$1.28 billion). The temple is known for its daily ‘maha aarti’, which is attended by thousands of devotees.
4. Meenakshi Temple, Madurai. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati and is located in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. It is estimated to be worth over ₹60 billion (US$768 million). The temple is known for its intricate architecture and its 14 gopurams (gateway towers).
5. Somnath Temple, Veraval. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in Veraval, Gujarat. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, the holiest shrines of Lord Shiva. The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries, most recently in 1951.
6. Jagannath Temple, Puri. This temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Vishnu, and is located in Puri, Odisha. It is one of the Char Dhams, the four most important pilgrimage sites in Hinduism. The temple is known for its annual Rath Yatra, a chariot festival that attracts millions of devotees.
7. Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappan, a Hindu deity, and is located in Sabarimala, Kerala. It is a major pilgrimage site for Hindus, especially during the Mandalam season, which lasts from November to December.
8. Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, Delhi. This temple is dedicated to Swaminarayan, a Hindu saint, and is located in Delhi. It is a modern temple complex that is known for its intricate architecture and its gardens.
9. Shirdi Sai Baba Temple. This temple is dedicated to Sai Baba, a Hindu saint, and is located in Shirdi, Maharashtra. It is a major pilgrimage site for Hindus and is known for its simple architecture.