The biggest temples in world are not just places of prayer—they are also known for their amazing beauty, gold, jewels, and history. These temples hold deep spiritual value and also show the great culture and wealth of ancient times. In this blog, we will explore the most famous and richest temples around the world, where faith and fortune come together. If you love history, culture, or want to plan a holy trip, this list will guide you to the grandest temples ever built.
From ancient stone giants to modern spiritual complexes, the world’s largest temples inspire awe through their sheer scale and devotion. Sites of Explore presents the most massive temple complexes across continents, measuring not just physical size but spiritual significance.
For personalized temple travel guides, contact us at Sites of Explore Contact Page!
1. Angkor Wat (Cambodia) – Largest Religious Monument
📍 Location: Siem Reap, Cambodia
📏 Size: 402 acres (1.6 sq km)
🕉️ Key Facts:
- Built in the 12th century as a Hindu temple (dedicated to Vishnu), later converted to Buddhism.
- Tallest tower: 213 ft (65 m).
- Featured on Cambodia’s national flag.
🕒 Best Time to Visit: November-February (cooler months).
2. Akshardham Temple (India) – Largest Hindu Temple
📍 Location: Delhi, India
📏 Size: 100 acres
🕉️ Key Facts:
- Opened in 2005, built with pink sandstone & marble.
- Features the world’s largest stepwell and a stunning light show.
- No cameras allowed inside.
🕒 Visiting Hours: 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM (Closed Mondays).
3. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (India) – Largest Functioning Hindu Temple
📍 Location: Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, India
📏 Size: 156 acres
🕉️ Key Facts:
- Dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Ranganatha).
- 7 concentric walls & 21 gopurams (towering gateways).
- Over 1 million visitors during major festivals.
4. Borobudur (Indonesia) – Largest Buddhist Temple
📍 Location: Central Java, Indonesia
📏 Size: 15,129 sq m (complex area)
🕉️ Key Facts:
- Built in the 9th century with 2 million stone blocks.
- 504 Buddha statues & 2,672 relief panels.
- A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
5. Karnak Temple (Egypt) – Largest Ancient Religious Site
📍 Location: Luxor, Egypt
📏 Size: 247 acres
🕉️ Key Facts:
- Built over 2,000 years by multiple pharaohs.
- Features the Great Hypostyle Hall (134 massive columns).
- Dedicated to Amun-Ra, Mut, and Khonsu.
6. BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham (USA) – Largest Hindu Temple Outside India
📍 Location: Robbinsville, New Jersey, USA
📏 Size: 183 acres
🕉️ Key Facts:
- Opened in 2023, built with Italian marble & Turkish limestone.
- 10,000+ carved deities and a 13-foot gold-plated statue of Swaminarayan.
7. Prambanan (Indonesia) – Largest Hindu Temple in Southeast Asia
📍 Location: Yogyakarta, Indonesia
📏 Size: 39 acres
🕉️ Key Facts:
- 9th-century temple dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma.
- 47 temples in the complex, with the tallest at 154 ft (47 m).
8. Belur Math (India) – Headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission
📍 Location: Kolkata, India
📏 Size: 40 acres
🕉️ Key Facts:
- Blends Hindu, Christian, and Islamic architectural styles.
- Houses the tomb of Swami Vivekananda.
9. Salt Lake Temple (USA) – Largest LDS (Mormon) Temple
📍 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
📏 Size: 10 acres (but massive structure)
🕉️ Key Facts:
- Built by Brigham Young in 1893.
- 252 ft tall, with a golden angel statue (Moroni) on top.
10. Jetavanaramaya (Sri Lanka) – Largest Brick Stupa in the World
📍 Location: Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
📏 Size: 5.6 acres (height: 400 ft originally)
🕉️ Key Facts:
- Built in the 3rd century with 93 million baked bricks.
- One of the tallest ancient structures (now partially ruined).
Final Verdict: Which is the Biggest?
- By Area: Angkor Wat (402 acres) – Largest overall.
- By Height: Angkor Wat (213 ft central tower).
- By Religious Significance: Sri Ranganathaswamy (oldest functioning mega-temple).
What Makes These Temples Massive?
✔ Multiple Shrines – Some houses hundreds of subsidiary temples
✔ Expansive Courtyards – Designed for large congregations
✔ Tall Structures – Many feature record-breaking towers/spires
✔ Integrated Facilities – Include museums, lakes, and cultural centers
These colossal temples represent humanity’s eternal quest for the divine through architectural ambition. Each tells unique stories through stones that have withstood centuries.
For detailed visiting guides and architectural insights to these mega-temples, follow Sites of Explore. Need help planning your temple itinerary? Contact us at Sites of Explore Contact Page!
Did You Know?
- The upcoming Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir (India) will be the tallest temple (700 ft) once completed.
- Borobudur was buried under volcanic ash for centuries before rediscovery.
Which of these would you love to visit? Let us know in the comments! ✨🙏
FAQs – Richest Temples in World
1. Which is the richest temple in the world?
The Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala, India, is known as the richest temple in the world. It holds huge amounts of gold, jewels, and ancient treasures found in secret underground chambers.
2. How do temples become so rich?
Temples receive donations from devotees in the form of cash, gold, silver, and land. Over many years, these offerings add up and make the temples very wealthy.
3. Are all rich temples in India?
Most of the richest temples are in India, like Tirupati Balaji and Shirdi Sai Baba Temple. However, other countries like Thailand and Japan also have temples with high value and importance.
4. What do temples do with the money and gold?
Many temples use their wealth for charity, helping poor people, running hospitals, schools, and feeding the needy. Some temples also keep their treasures safe as part of their history and tradition.
5. Can tourists visit these richest temples in the world?
Yes, most of these temples are open to the public. But some areas, like treasure vaults or certain rooms, may not be open to visitors due to safety or religious reasons.
