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By Ankit Gupta
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Updated on 3 Jun 2025, 15:09 IST
Temples are special places where people go to pray, find peace, and feel close to God. Across the world, many temples are known not just for their religious value but also for their great wealth. These temples receive huge donations in the form of gold, silver, money, and precious stones from devotees. Some temples even have treasures hidden underground for hundreds of years. In this article, we will talk about the top 5 richest temple in the world and discover what makes them so rich and special.
Many people wonder, “Which is the richest temple in the world?” The answer might surprise you. Some of the richest temples are in India, and their wealth is more than many big companies. These temples have gold-covered walls, diamond-studded idols, and donations worth billions of dollars. They are not just places of worship but also symbols of faith, tradition, and generosity.
The richest Hindu temple in the world is famous for its hidden treasure, gold vaults, and royal history. Other temples on this list receive millions of visitors every year who donate money, gold ornaments, and other valuable items. Some temples are also among the oldest temple in the world, with a history that goes back thousands of years. Others are known as the biggest temple in the world, not just in size, but also in the number of people they help every day through free meals, health care, and education.
When we talk about the top 10 richest temples in the world, most of them are in India, which shows the deep connection between spirituality and charity in Indian culture. Each temple in this list has a unique story, beautiful architecture, and strong devotion from millions of followers.
Whether it’s the ancient Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala, the famous Tirupati Balaji in Andhra Pradesh, or the peaceful Golden Temple in Punjab, these temples are not only rich in money but also rich in culture and love.
Many temples receive donations from millions of devotees every year. These donations can include:
These donations are used to maintain the temple, support social work, and sometimes to preserve art and heritage. Some temples also have centuries-old treasures that were gifted by kings and emperors.
Do Check: Top 10 Richest Temple in India
Here’s a table showing the top 5 richest temples in the world, their country, estimated wealth, and unique features:
| Rank | Temple Name | Country | Estimated Wealth (USD) | Unique Features |
| 1 | Padmanabhaswamy Temple | India | $20+ Billion | Underground vaults with gold treasures |
| 2 | Tirumala Tirupati Temple | India | $10–15 Billion | Daily visitors over 50,000 |
| 3 | Shirdi Sai Baba Temple | India | $8–10 Billion | Donations from all faiths |
| 4 | Vaishno Devi Temple | India | $6–8 Billion | Located in Himalayan mountains |
| 5 | Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) | India | $5–7 Billion | Made of gold, open to all religions |
The Padmanabhaswamy Temple is officially the richest temple in the world. It shocked the world in 2011 when hidden underground vaults were opened. Inside, there were gold coins, diamond jewelry, golden idols, and other rare items worth billions.
One of the vaults, called “Vault B,” still remains unopened. Many believe that this vault could hold even more treasure. This temple is not only the richest Hindu temple in the world, but also one of the oldest temple in the world, with references dating back to 500 BCE.
The Tirumala Tirupati Temple is one of the top 10 richest temples in the world and the most visited temple too. It receives over 30 million visitors annually. On special days, over 1 lakh people visit in one day! Devotees offer hair, gold, money, and precious items here. The temple even has its own dairy, kitchen, and gold-plating unit. The food offered to visitors is made in the largest temple kitchen in the world.
It is considered one of the biggest Hindu temple in the world, not just in size but also in terms of donations.
Do Check: GK Questions on Hindu Temples
The Shirdi Sai Baba Temple is another name on the list of the top 10 richest temples in the world. It is unique because it is visited by people of all religions – Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and others. Donations include gold, silver, cash, and real estate. The trust runs hospitals, schools, and helps people in need.
This temple may not be the biggest temple in the world, but it surely is one of the most richest temple in the world in terms of daily donations and faith.
The Vaishno Devi Temple is located on the Trikuta Mountains. It is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in India and one of the richest temple in the world. People trek for hours to reach the temple. The trust receives large amounts of gold, silver, and cash every year.
Though not the biggest temple in the world, its unique location and high devotion make it very special. It’s also one of the cleanest and best-managed temples.
The Golden Temple, also known as Harmandir Sahib, is the holiest site for Sikhs. Its dome is made of pure gold, and it is surrounded by a beautiful water body called Amrit Sarovar. The temple runs one of the largest free kitchens (Langar) in the world, feeding over 1 lakh people every day.
Although it’s not a Hindu temple, it is often included in the list of the top 10 richest temples in the world due to its wealth, donations, and global respect.
Besides the top 5, here are a few more temples often included in the top 10 richest temples in the world:
| Temple Name | Country | Notes |
| Meenakshi Temple | India | Known for architectural beauty |
| Jagannath Temple | India | Famous for Rath Yatra and rich history |
| Akshardham Temple | India | One of the biggest Hindu temple in the world |
| Somnath Temple | India | One of the oldest temple in the world |
So, which is the richest temple in the world? It is clearly the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala, India, with its hidden treasures and ancient legacy.
All the temples listed above are spiritual and cultural landmarks. Whether it's their gold reserves, daily donations, or global visitors, each temple is unique and special. They not only preserve ancient traditions but also provide free services like food, shelter, and medical help.
These temples are not just religious places but also symbols of faith, unity, and charity. Some are also the biggest temple in the world, others are among the oldest temple in the world, but all of them are deeply rooted in history and devotion.
The richest temple in the world is the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala, India.
Akshardham Temple in Delhi is considered one of the biggest Hindu temples in the world by area.
Some of the top 10 richest temples in the world include Padmanabhaswamy, Tirupati, Shirdi, Vaishno Devi, Golden Temple, Meenakshi, Jagannath, Akshardham, Somnath, and Siddhivinayak.
Donations in the form of gold, silver, money, land, and jewelry from devotees, and treasures passed down from ancient times.
