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By Ankit Gupta
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Updated on 3 Jun 2025, 15:08 IST
India is a land of faith, festivals, and temples. From ancient times, temples in India have played a very important role in society—not just as places of worship, but also as centers of culture, tradition, charity, and even wealth. Some temples in India are so rich that they hold more gold than entire countries. The question that often arises is: which is the richest temple in India?
The answer lies in the southern part of the country. The Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala is officially known as the richest temple in India, with treasure worth over ₹1.2 lakh crore. It is not just rich in wealth but also in history, tradition, and architecture. It is one of the oldest temples in India, with records going back thousands of years. Alongside it, there are many other temples in the country that are incredibly rich due to generous donations from devotees, royal endowments, and religious offerings.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at the top 5 richest temple in India, and also the top 10 richest temples in India. We will explore how they became so wealthy, what makes them unique, and why millions of people visit them every year. From the biggest temple in India in terms of area, to temples that are famous for gold and silver donations, you will learn everything you need to know.
We will also explore some of the famous temples in South India, which are not only rich in assets but also rich in spiritual value and cultural heritage. These temples attract millions of devotees and tourists from across the world.
Moreover, we will explore ancient temples that are still active today and are considered among the oldest temples in India. These sacred places are full of stories from history, mythology, and devotion.
Whether you are interested in learning about temple architecture, divine legends, or just curious about which temples hold the most treasure, this guide has it all. So let’s begin this spiritual and cultural journey into the heart of India’s most sacred and wealthiest temples.
The richest temple in India is the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. This temple made international headlines in 2011 when secret underground vaults were opened and treasures worth billions were discovered. The estimated value of the treasure is over ₹1.2 lakh crore (approximately $22 billion), making it not just the most richest temple in India but one of the wealthiest religious institutions in the world.
| Rank | Temple Name | Location | Estimated Wealth | Known For |
| 1 | Padmanabhaswamy Temple | Thiruvananthapuram | ₹1.2 lakh crore+ | Richest temple in India, ancient vaults |
| 2 | Tirumala Tirupati Temple | Andhra Pradesh | ₹50,000 crore+ | Huge donations, gold reserves |
| 3 | Shirdi Sai Baba Temple | Maharashtra | ₹3,000 crore+ | Massive daily donations |
| 4 | Siddhivinayak Temple | Mumbai | ₹1,800 crore+ | Popular among celebrities |
| 5 | Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) | Amritsar | ₹1,500 crore+ | Made of gold, charity-based |
Here is a list of the top 10 richest temples in India, including famous shrines from different parts of the country.
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Temples in India get their wealth from:
Many of these temples use their wealth for social welfare like free meals (Anna Daan), schools, hospitals, and charity work.
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South India is known for its architectural beauty and spiritual depth. Here are some famous temples in South India that are also very wealthy:
| Temple Name | Location | Notable Feature |
| Meenakshi Temple | Madurai | Towering gopurams, sculptures |
| Tirupati Balaji Temple | Tirumala | Among the top 5 richest temple in India |
| Ranganathaswamy Temple | Srirangam | Largest functioning Hindu temple |
| Padmanabhaswamy Temple | Kerala | Richest temple in India |
| Murudeshwar Temple | Karnataka | World’s second tallest Shiva statue |
South India is also home to some of the oldest temples in India with centuries-old history and tradition.
One of the oldest temples in India is the Mundeshwari Devi Temple in Bihar, believed to have been built around 108 AD. It is still active today and considered a great example of early Indian architecture.
Other ancient temples include:
These ancient temples hold great religious importance and also attract tourists and pilgrims from all over the world.
The biggest temple in India in terms of area is the Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu. It covers 156 acres and is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture. Although not the richest temple in India, it is certainly one of the most magnificent.
| Feature | Padmanabhaswamy Temple (Richest) | Ranganathaswamy Temple (Biggest) |
| Location | Kerala | Tamil Nadu |
| Specialty | Hidden treasure vaults | Massive temple complex |
| Area Covered | Moderate | 156 acres |
| Wealth | ₹1.2 lakh crore+ | Not disclosed |
| Visitors | Limited due to tight security | Open to all |
Both temples are important in their own way—one for its wealth, the other for its size.
India is home to some of the richest, biggest, and oldest temples in the world. Whether it is the richest temple in India like Padmanabhaswamy Temple, or the biggest temple in India like Ranganathaswamy, every temple has a unique story to tell. These temples not only represent religious devotion but also show the power of community, tradition, and belief.
From the top 5 richest temple in India to the top 10 richest temples in India, each shrine has spiritual and economic significance. Many of these temples, especially in the South, are also counted among the famous temples in South India and continue to attract millions of devotees every year.
The richest temple in India is the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It has an estimated treasure worth over ₹1.2 lakh crore, making it the most richest temple in India and possibly the world.
The top 5 richest temples in India are:
These temples receive massive donations and hold great religious and cultural value.
The Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, is considered the biggest temple in India by area. It covers over 156 acres and is one of the famous temples in South India.
Temples become wealthy through:
This is how many of the top 10 richest temples in India have accumulated massive wealth.
Most of the famous temples in South India like Padmanabhaswamy, Tirupati, and Meenakshi temples are among the wealthiest. However, some rich temples like Shirdi Sai Baba and Siddhivinayak are in western India, and Golden Temple is in the north.
Yes, the Golden Temple in Amritsar is among the top 10 richest temples in India. It is built with gold and receives large donations, while also offering free food to thousands of people every day.
The Mundeshwari Devi Temple in Bihar is considered one of the oldest temples in India, built around 108 AD. It is still a functioning temple and has historical significance.
Many temples already support welfare programs like hospitals, schools, and food distribution. Some people suggest that more of the wealth from the richest temple in India and others should be used for social good, especially in times of crisis.
