India’s temples show the country’s diverse religious past. India has over 500,000 temples, many of which are believed to be places of great faith and wonder, attracting devotees from all over the world. We Indians definitely know how to maintain and celebrate our culture, rituals, and religion in this era of modernism. Donations varying from a rupee to crores, sacks of gold, and all types of riches are rushed into the temple treasuries, reaching thousands of crores of rupees.
Do you want to know how much they’re worth?
Let’s find out the top 5 richest temples in India that you should know about.
01. Shree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Kerala
The Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, which is located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, attracts many visitors from all over the world. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is considered to be the world’s richest temple due to its donations. Its architecture is a wonderful mix of Kerala and the nearby state’s Dravidian styles. The finding of a lost treasure worth Rs. 1,00,000 crore in the temple’s under crypts, together with bags full of valuable jewels, made it the country’s richest temple.
Location: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Built By: Travancore Maharaja Marthanda Varma.
Net worth: Nearly 100000 cr. per year
How to reach: Nearest Railway Station-Thampanoor, Trivandrum Railway Station.
Nearest Airport-Trivandrum
Banned items: electronic items, leather products, cigarettes, tobacco, liquor, pots, meat, playing cards
02. Tirupati Temple, Andhra Pradesh
The Lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati is one of India’s most famous temples. It is one of the most-visited holy places in the world, with over 35 million pilgrims visiting yearly. It is also one of the richest temples in the world. Tirupati Temple is one of the holiest holy places in Hinduism and is built on Venkata Hill, which is part of the famous Seshachalam Hills. According to legend, Lord Vishnu took the form of Sri Venkateswara in order to save mankind from the calamities of the Kali Yuga.
Another myth is –
Lord Balaji, who once lived in the Tirupati temple, had to repay a big loan to Kuber, God’s collector, which he used to pay his wedding expenses. According to mythology, Lord Balaji is still repaying his debt, and as a result, worshippers make large financial and in-kind offerings to the temple. Some celebrities, including Anil Ambani and Amitabh Bachhan, visit the breathtaking temple in India on a regular basis.
Location: Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh
Built By: King Thondaiman
Net Worth: Nearly 650 cr. per year
How to reach: Nearest Railway Station– Tirupati railway station
Nearest Airport- Renigunta Airport
Banned Items: cigarettes, tobacco, liquor, pants, meat, playing cards, all-electric gadgets, jeans
I hope you are enjoying the list.
Also, read 11 Unique Temples of India You Don’t Know
03. Siddhi Vinayak Temple, Maharashtra
Lord Shri Ganesh is worshipped at the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir, a Hindu temple sacred to him. It is situated in Prabhadevi, Mumbai. Siddhi Vinayak’s tomb is set in a small mandap at the temple (“Ganesha who grants your wish”). Photos of the Ashtavinayak are etched into the wooden doors to the sanctum.
The sanctum’s inner roof is gold-plated, and the central idol is Ganesha. Also, there is a Hanuman temple on the boundary. The temple’s exterior features a roof that, at night, is lighted up with various colors that change every few hours. Shri Ganesha’s idol is situated just under the roof. Amitabh Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar, Madhuri Dixit, and other well-known celebrities are frequent visitors to the temple.
Location: Prabhadevi, Mumbai
Built By: Laxman Vithu and Deubai Patil
Net Worth: Nearly 125 Cr, per annum
How to reach: Nearest Railway Station– Dadar or Parel Station
Nearest Airport– Mumbai Airport
Banned Items: garlands and coconuts, cigarettes, tobacco, liquor, etc.
04. Shiridi Sai Baba Temple, Shiridi
The Shiridi Sai Baba Temple in Shirdi is one of India’s most famous religious destinations.
The truth is that the temple is dedicated to Shri Sai Baba, the world’s most famous fighter against poverty, who lived his life as a ‘fakir,’ depending on begging to cover his daily costs and support his family.
Today, however, Shri Sai Baba’s idol is decorated with costly jewelry. Every day, devotees of different faiths pay their devotion to the temple.
Location: Shiridi
Built By: One Narasimhaswami
Net worth: Nearly 320Cr. per year
How to reach: Nearest Railway Station– Kopergaon Railway Station
Nearest Airport-Aurangabad Airport
Banned Items: Water bottles, mobile phones, cameras, or any electronic gadgets, half pants, Bermuda shorts, frocks, Mini, etc.
05. Vaishnodevi, Katra, J&K
Vaishno Devi (also known as Mata Rani, Trikuta, Ambe, and Vaishnavi) is a Hindu Mother Goddess who appears in mythology. The terms “Maa” and “Mata” are widely used in India to refer to mothers and are hence closely correlated with Vaishno Devi. Vaishnavi was born from the union of Parvati, Lakshmi, and Saraswati’s energies. The temple is in the Indian city of Katra.
Hindu worshippers from all over the world come to this well-known religious place, where the Mother Goddess, Mata Vaishno Devi, is believed to grant their wishes. This spiritual site is known as the most important Shaktipeeth since it is said that the Goddess Sati’s skull fell here.
The goddess is represented at Mata Vaishno Devi Cave by a five-and-a-half-foot-tall rock with three heads, known as the Pindies. On the Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, devotees offer chunri (a red-colored drape), sarees, dry fruits, silver or gold jewelry, Cholas, flowers, and other traditional offerings to Mata.
Location: Katra, Jammu & Kashmir
Built By: Maharaja Gulab Singh developed the Vaishno Devi cave, which was discovered several centuries ago.
Net Worth: Nearly 500Cr. per year
How to reach: Nearest Railway Station– Udhampur railway station
Nearest Airport-Jammu Airport
Banned Items: mobile camera, video camera, Avoid inappropriate dressing, smoking, liquor, chewing tobacco and betel leaves, spitting, spreading litter, playing cards, etc.
India, as the nation of Gods and Goddesses, displays how deeply people believe in them, irrespective of religion. This wealth of temples indicate that India and Indians are not only rich in culture and traditions, but also in money. It shows the nation’s might, and the temples’ beautiful architectural constructions reflect the beauty of ancient India.
There’s a God in every point and corner of India, with its own set of beliefs, whether you’re a traveler or a believer. So this is all about the top 5 richest temples in India. If you liked this article, please like, share, and subscribe to the website for more updates.
Sources: Wikipedia
