Top 11 Richest Temples in India
, by javed techqart, 11 min reading time
India has many beautiful temples that are special for praying. These temples are also very rich, showing how much people love and give to their gods. Imagine going on an exciting adventure to uncover the hidden treasures in these special places!
In India, some temples stand out because they are super rich. If you ever visit these temples, you will be amazed by their appearance. They are like art pieces with detailed carvings and tall towers. And guess what? The ceremonies inside are colorful and lively and a secret to the temples' success in becoming so wealthy.
So, let's take a journey together to explore these incredible temples and discover the hidden treasures within their walls. It's a journey that unveils not just the spiritual beauty but also the amazing wealth that has made these temples famous all over the world. Get ready for a magical adventure through the ten richest temples in India!
Tirumala Tirupati Venkateswara Temple
On top of the seventh hill, called Venkata Tirumala, you'll find the famous Sri Venkateshwara Temple. It's old and loved by many people who visit for a special reason. Situated south of the Sri Swami Puskarini River, the temple is built in a special way that reflects the traditional style of this region. Inside, there's a big, 8-foot statue of Lord Venkateshwara. It's kept under a golden dome called Ananda Nilaya Divya Vimana. The idol's eyes are covered with a tilak made of camphor and decorated with beautiful stones, some of which are very precious. Before going to the main Sri Venkateswara Swami temple, visiting the Varahaswami Temple is a tradition.
Timings: Multiple darshan timings, 2:30am to 1:30 am the next day
Entry Fee: Free (Chargeable for special darshans and sevas)
Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram
The Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple is right at the center of Thiruvananthapuram. People go there to worship Lord Vishnu, and the old royal family of Travancore looks after it. The temple's architecture is pretty amazing, done in the Dravidian style. What makes this temple stand out is the idol of Padmanabhaswamy. You'll see Lord Vishnu in a relaxed position, lying on Ananthan, a celestial serpent.
Interestingly, the city gets its name from this special shrine. Now, here comes the fascinating part – the temple has a lot of valuable stuff, like gold, gold idols, old silver items, emeralds, diamonds, and even brass. In total, it's worth around a whopping 90,000 crores! And get this: even two coconut shells made of gold, all blinged out with precious stones. Quite a treasure, right?
Timings: Opens at 3 am, closes late evening
Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai
In Mumbai, Siddhivinayak temple is dedicated to the beloved Lord Ganesha. Interestingly, what used to be a small brick structure has turned into the richest temple in Mumbai. Lots of devotees like this place. But here's the thing – if you don't time your visit right, especially on certain days, you might find yourself waiting in line for hours. Imagine that! The temple is not just famous for its religious significance; it also has some cool architecture, and how they handle all the people coming to pray is quite impressive. It's worth checking out!
Timings: 4 am to 11:15 pm
Entry Fee: Free (Special darshans are chargeable)
Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, Shirdi
The Sai Baba temple in Shirdi, Maharashtra, is one of the most important pilgrimage sites globally. This beautiful shrine was built in 1922 and is 296 kilometers from Mumbai. Interestingly, it's considered the third richest temple in India, drawing millions of pilgrims from various religions and castes daily. Shirdi itself is always bustling with devotees and curious tourists who come to experience the holiness associated with Shri Sai Baba. If you plan to visit the Shirdi Temple, you can book affordable flight tickets to Mumbai and then go to this spiritual haven. It's not just a journey; it's an opportunity to find inner peace.
Timings: 4 am to 11:15 pm
Entry Fee: Free (Special darshans are chargeable)
Golden Temple, Amritsar
The Golden Temple beautifully represents the rich history, religion, and culture of the Sikh community. The upper floors of this sacred place are made of 400 kilograms of gold. This is why it is called 'The Golden Temple.' Inside the temple, you will find the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhism. Adjacent to the Golden Temple is a building that houses a museum. It provides a detailed account of the entire Sikh story. The Golden Temple is truly a remarkable symbol that showcases the spiritual and cultural wealth of the Sikh tradition.
Timings: Open 24 hours
Entry Fee: Free
Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
The temple we are talking about is quite special because it welcomes around 20 to 30 thousand devotees daily, making it one of the few in India with such high footfalls. This temple earns an impressive annual revenue of about 60 million. You will discover around 33,000 sculptures inside its premises, each telling a story. The main deity worshipped here is Goddess Meenakshi, who happens to be the wife of Sundareshwar, also known as Lord Shiva. The temple boasts 14 towering gopurams, each standing at heights ranging from 45 to 50 meters. And here's a touch of glamour – the temple showcases two golden carts, adding to its magnificent beauty.
Timings: 5 am - 12:30 pm, 4pm - 10 pm
Entry Fee: Free (Special darshans are chargeable)
Somnath Temple, Gujarat
This temple's wealth and grandeur were so impressive that it faced challenges in the past. The Turkic ruler Mahmud Ghazni looted and destroyed it 17 times, all for its abundant gold and silver treasures. Despite these challenges, the temple still holds valuable possessions, earning its reputation as one of the wealthiest temples in India. The temple is known for its amazing architectural design and significant religious importance. This coastal temple has become a popular religious site and a captivating destination for sightseers through careful and sophisticated construction methods.
Darshan timings: 6 am - 9 pm
Light and sound show timings: 8 pm - 9 pm
Entry Fee: Free
Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, Kerala
Sabarimala Temple stands out as one of the richest temples in India. It attracts approximately 100 million devotees each year. It is right at the top of the list regarding the number of people visiting. Perched on a hilltop at a height of 4,133 feet above sea level, the temple is surrounded by mountains and thick forests. Now, here is something interesting – only men can enter this temple. It's a bit unique in that way. During the pilgrimage season, the temple generates a revenue of around Rs. 230 crore, making it a financially significant and spiritually important destination.
Jagannath Temple, Puri
People generously donate huge amounts at this temple and this number goes up six times during festivals! Imagine that. Around 30,000 devotees visit the temple daily, and during festive seasons, it skyrockets to about 70,000 per day. A European devotee once donated a whopping 1.72 crores to the temple to add a special touch. A trip to Puri is considered complete with visiting this revered and financially well-off temple.
Timings: 5 am to midnight
Entry Fee: Free (Special darshans are chargeable)
Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu
The Vaishno Devi Temple stands out as one of the wealthiest temples in India, drawing millions of devotees from around the world. This sacred shrine dedicated to Goddess Vaishno Devi is a center of deep-rooted religious beliefs among Hindus. It welcomes many pilgrims every season, with an annual income of approximately Rs. 500 crore. The popularity of this temple is evident as about 8 million pilgrims visit it, making it the second most visited temple after Tirupati. The spiritual significance and the sheer number of devotees make Vaishno Devi Temple a place of worship and a financially prosperous religious destination.
Timings: Open 24 hours
Entry Fee: Free( Needs a Yatra slip from the Yatra Registration Counter)
Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple holds a special place among India's revered religious destinations, managing to retain its glory despite facing looting and demolition in the past. Annually, more than 3 million domestic and 2 lakh foreign tourists visit this temple. It's not just a place of worship; it's also one of the wealthiest temples in India, receiving an annual donation of around Rs. 4-5 crore. The temple features three domes, two adorned in gold plating. The enduring spiritual significance and the continuous flow of devotees and tourists contribute to the temple's resilience and financial prosperity.
Timings: 3 am to 11 pm
Entry Fee: Free
The temples we explored in India are rich and have a lot of history. Each story is unique, from the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram to the Vaishno Devi Temple in Katra. Despite some temples facing tough times in the past, like being looted or destroyed, they have bounced back. The devotion of people and the beautiful stories these temples tell have made them spiritual places and really rich ones.
Think about the Meenakshi Temple's detailed carvings or the Golden Temple's shiny gold exterior – each temple has something special. And even though they are located in different parts of India, they all contribute to the country's rich cultural heritage.
