A theft case involving donations at Ayodhya's Ram Mandir has grabbed headlines recently. The temple, opened barely two and a half years ago after its consecration ceremony, collects close to Rs 150 crore in donations every year, a considerable sum. Yet surprisingly, several temples across India rake in far more each year. The temple that tops this list receives so much in offerings that the amount could feed roughly 40 major cities for an entire month. Here is a look at the temples whose annual donations outpace the Ram Mandir.
Tirupati Balaji: the world's richest temple
The temple of Lord Venkateswara Swami in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, sits right at the top when it comes to donations, not just in India but globally. Built in the eighth century, it is regarded as the oldest and wealthiest religious site in the country, collecting around Rs 1,880 crore annually. That scale of offerings is why it is called the richest temple in the world. It also draws the largest number of Hindu devotees of any shrine in the country. The sanctum houses an idol of Lord Vishnu. The tradition of devotees getting a tonsure, offering their hair, is especially famous here, with lakhs of pilgrims shaving their heads every year as an offering. The temple is managed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, or TTD trust.
Vaishno Devi: a shrine tucked in the hills
Second on the list of top donation earners is the Mata Vaishno Devi temple. Perched in the hills above Katra at the foothills of the Himalayas, this shakti peeth collects roughly Rs 230 crore every year. The shrine venerates three forms of Mata Vaishnavi, Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. Reaching the cave shrine involves a well known 12 kilometre trek on foot, considered an experience in itself by pilgrims. The Shrine Board runs the entire complex, and the arrangements there are known to be highly secure and well organised. Lakhs of devotees make the journey to the goddess's darbar every year.
Ayodhya's Ram Mandir still trails far behind
The grandest and most talked about temple of Lord Ram stands at his birthplace in Ayodhya, and its doors opened for public darshan on 22 January 2024. It currently collects close to Rs 150 crore in donations annually. That very donation amount is at the centre of a theft case making headlines right now, and an investigation is underway. Compared with temples like Tirupati, however, the Ram Mandir's yearly collection is still far behind. The sanctum holds the idol of the child Ram Lala, and the site has become one of the most important centres of Hindu faith. According to the temple trust, around 70,000 to 80,000 devotees visit for darshan every single day.
Siddhivinayak: Mumbai's own identity
The Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai, dedicated to Lord Ganesh, is famous well beyond India's borders. Bollywood celebrities are frequent visitors here. Siddhivinayak is worshipped as the Ganpati who fulfils tasks for his devotees. The temple was established in 1801. Huge crowds gather here on Chaturthi and Sankashti Chaturthi. It collects close to Rs 100 crore in donations every year. The temple has become both a centre of faith for Mumbai's residents and a symbol of the city itself.
Kashi Vishwanath: the golden temple on the Ganga
Standing on the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi, the Kashi Vishwanath temple is Uttar Pradesh's most famous shrine, drawing around Rs 80 crore in donations each year. This ancient Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva is referred to as the king of Kashi. The temple underwent renovation in 2019, after which it was rebuilt with a gold covering, earning it its reputation as the golden temple. Lakhs of devotees visit for darshan, and the site is also regarded as a place of liberation, or moksha.
Jagannath Puri: home of the Rath Yatra
The Jagannath temple in Puri, Odisha, is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra, and is counted among the four Char Dham sites. Its Rath Yatra, or chariot festival, is one of the country's biggest religious traditions, drawing lakhs of participants. Built in the 12th century, the temple has historically been under the patronage of the Gajapati king. It collects roughly Rs 18 to 25 crore in donations annually. The temple's Mahaprasad, its offering of food, is famous across the country.
