The richest temples in world are not just places of worship—they are also full of history, culture, and amazing treasures. These temples hold gold, jewels, and many gifts from people who believe in their power. In this blog, we will explore the top 10 richest temples and learn about their beauty, wealth, and the stories behind them.
Temples are not just spiritual centers—some are also unbelievably wealthy, with treasures worth billions! From gold reserves to diamond-crusted idols, these sacred sites attract millions of devotees and tourists alike. Sites of Explore brings you the top 10 richest temples in the world, their mind-blowing assets, and why they’re worth visiting in 2025.
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What Makes a Temple Rich?
- Donations by devotees
- Historical treasures
- Land and property owned
- Daily offerings and gold ornaments
1. Padmanabhaswamy Temple, India
💰 Estimated Wealth: $20+ Billion
📍 Location: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
📜 Why So Rich?
- Contains hidden vaults (some still unopened) filled with gold, diamonds, and ancient treasures.
- Donations from kings, nobles, and devotees over centuries.
- One vault (Vault B) remains sealed by court order due to legends of a curse.
2. Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple, India
💰 Estimated Wealth: $10+ Billion
📍 Location: Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
📜 Why So Rich?
- Receives ₹1,500+ crore ($200M) annually in donations.
- Famous for gold and diamond offerings, including a 2,500 kg golden crown.
- Sells 50,000+ laddus (prasad) daily, generating huge revenue.
3. Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, India
💰 Estimated Wealth: $5+ Billion
📍 Location: Shirdi, Maharashtra
📜 Why So Rich?
- Over 1 lakh daily visitors donate cash, gold, and silver.
- Annual income exceeds ₹500 crore ($60M+).
- Trust owns hospitals, schools, and real estate.
4. Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), India
💰 Estimated Wealth: $4+ Billion
📍 Location: Amritsar, Punjab
📜 Why So Rich?
- Covered in 750 kg of pure gold.
- Free langar (food) serves 1 lakh+ people daily, funded by donations.
- Sikh devotees worldwide contribute generously.
5. Laxmi Narayan Temple (Birla Mandir), India
💰 Estimated Wealth: $3+ Billion
📍 Location: Multiple cities (Delhi, Kolkata, etc.)
📜 Why So Rich?
- Owned by the Birla family, one of India’s richest industrialists.
- Built with premium marble and gold decorations.
- Receives high-profile donations from business tycoons.
6. Meenakshi Amman Temple, India
💰 Estimated Wealth: $2.5+ Billion
📍 Location: Madurai, Tamil Nadu
📜 Why So Rich?
- 35,000+ gold & silver offerings from devotees.
- Owns vast temple lands and jewelry worth crores.
- Major tourist attraction with high donation inflow.
7. Vatican City (St. Peter’s Basilica), Vatican
💰 Estimated Wealth: $15+ Billion (Entire Vatican)
📍 Location: Vatican City
📜 Why So Rich?
- Art treasures, gold reserves, and real estate holdings.
- Receives donations from 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.
- Owns priceless artworks like Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel.
8. Sensoji Temple, Japan
💰 Estimated Wealth: $2+ Billion
📍 Location: Tokyo
📜 Why So Rich?
- 30+ million visitors annually donate heavily.
- Sells lucky charms & amulets, generating millions.
- Historic temple with vast land ownership in Tokyo.
9. Wat Phra Dhammakaya, Thailand
💰 Estimated Wealth: $1.5+ Billion
📍 Location: Pathum Thani, Thailand
📜 Why So Rich?
- Massive donations from followers (even diamond offerings).
- Controversial for its luxury practices (golden statues, private jets).
- One of the fastest-growing Buddhist temples in wealth.
10. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, India
💰 Estimated Wealth: $1+ Billion
📍 Location: Srirangam, Tamil Nadu
📜 Why So Rich?
- 600+ kg of gold ornaments donated by kings & devotees.
- Annual festivals attract millions, boosting donations.
- One of the largest temple complexes in the world.
FAQs – Richest Temples in World
1. Which is the richest temple in the world?
The Padmanabhaswamy Temple in India is often called the richest temple in the world because of its huge amount of gold, jewels, and treasures.
2. How do temples become so rich?
Temples get rich from donations by devotees, gifts of gold and silver, land, and property given over many years.
3. Do these temples use their wealth for charity?
Yes, many temples use their money to help poor people, run schools, hospitals, and support community programs.
4. Can tourists visit the richest temples?
Most of these temples allow visitors, but some parts like treasure rooms are usually closed for safety reasons.
5. Are the treasures in temples protected?
Yes, temples take special care to keep their treasures safe, often with strong security and government help.
