Temples are places of worship and devotion for many people around the world. They are also symbols of cultural heritage, architectural beauty and historical significance. Some temples are so rich that they have amassed enormous wealth over the centuries, making them among the most valuable religious sites in the world. Here is a list of the top 10 richest temples in the world, based on their estimated net worth.
10. Shree Siddhivinayak Temple, India
The Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity venerated as the god of wisdom and the remover of obstacles. Located in the Prabhadevi area, the temple attracts millions of devotees yearly, especially during Ganesh Chaturthi.siddhivinayak+2
It was originally constructed on November 19, 1801, by a contractor named Laxman Vithu, and funded by Deubai Patil, a wealthy, childless woman who wished for other women to be blessed with children. The original structure was simple, but expansions and renovations, including additions like a gold-plated dome, have transformed it into an iconic six-story building with 37 smaller domes.bajajfinserv+4
The main idol is carved from a single block of black stone, depicting Ganesha with four arms and a trunk curving to the right, flanked by his consorts Riddhi and Siddhi—contrary to occasional reports, the idol is not made of silver and is not encrusted with jewels.fabhotels+1
The Siddhivinayak Temple is one of India’s wealthiest temples, receiving substantial donations from devotees, celebrities, and prominent business figures. In 2024–25, its annual income was around ₹133 crore (approximately $16 million USD), and while notably wealthy, its net worth is generally estimated below $100 million. The temple trust uses much of its income for charitable initiatives in fields like education and healthcare for the public.
9. Shrine of Lourdes, France
The Shrine of Lourdes, known as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, is one of the most significant Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world, believed to be where the Virgin Mary appeared to 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. The sanctuary features the Grotto of Massabielle—site of the apparitions—as well as multiple basilicas, a rosary square, fountains that supply Lourdes water, baths for immersion, processional esplanades, and several chapels within a 52-hectare area.wikipedia+3
Each year, the shrine welcomes between four to six million pilgrims, who come from over 150 countries to pray, light candles, and, in many cases, bathe in or collect water from the spring, which is reputed to have healing properties. Since the apparitions, an estimated 200 million people have visited Lourdes; as of 2025, the Catholic Church has officially recognized 72 miraculous healings attributed to Lourdes water. The Sanctuary operates solely on donations and receives no government or Vatican subsidies. Its annual running budget is substantial, with nearly all revenue coming from visitor donations, but there are no publicly available or verified estimates placing its net worth at $200 million.
8. Temple of the Tooth, Sri Lanka
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy, Sri Lanka, safeguards a venerated relic believed to be one of Buddha’s teeth—one of the most sacred objects in Buddhism. First built by King Vimaladharmasuriya I in the late 16th century, the temple has been destroyed and reconstructed several times, with its current two-story form dating to the early 18th century under King Sri Veera Parakrama Narendrasinghe and later enhancements by other monarchs.wikipedia+3
The temple is part of a historic complex that includes the royal palace, museums, an octagonal pavilion, and a library, all exemplifying Kandyan architectural style. Ornately decorated with gold, silver, bronze, and ivory, the relic is housed in the innermost sanctum atop a golden lotus and enclosed in a series of golden, jewel-encrusted caskets under a golden canopy built in 1987. The temple receives large donations from devotees and tourists, solidifying its standing as one of Sri Lanka’s wealthiest shrines, though there is no substantiated public estimate for its total net worth.
7. Santuari del Santuari de Meritxell, Andorra
The Santuari de Meritxell in Andorra honors Our Lady of Meritxell, the nation’s patron saint, and stands on the site of a 12th-century Romanesque chapel later rebuilt in Baroque and Gothic styles. After the original sanctuary was destroyed by fire in 1972, the current structure was designed by architect Ricardo Bofill and inaugurated in 1976–1978. The new sanctuary features a Greek cross plan, semicircular arches, rib-vaulted cloisters, and a modern reinterpretation of the original wooden statue of the Virgin and Child. Meritxell is the focus of Andorra’s national holiday every September 8 and attracts thousands of pilgrims annually. Donations and government support sustain the sanctuary, but there are no credible sources reporting its net worth as $400 million or classifying it among Europe’s wealthiest shrines.
6. Sai Baba of Shirdi Temple, India
The Sai Baba of Shirdi Temple in Maharashtra, India, honors Sai Baba, a 19th-century spiritual master who taught universal love, tolerance, and unity across religions. Sai Baba passed away in 1918, and a temple was constructed in 1922 at his burial site in Shirdi. The temple features a marble idol of Sai Baba seated on a throne with silver pillars and lamps around it. It also includes a museum displaying his personal effects and photographs. Millions of devotees visit annually to pay their respects and seek his blessings. The temple receives significant donations, contributing to its status as one of the richest in India, although there is no verified valuation of its net worth at $500 million.
5. Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), India
The Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar, Punjab, India, is the holiest shrine of Sikhism. Founded by Guru Ram Das in the late 16th century, its construction was completed by Guru Arjan Dev in 1604. The temple is uniquely designed with entrances on all four sides to welcome people of all castes and creeds and is built at a lower level to symbolize humility. The iconic golden dome, added later under Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s patronage in the early 19th century, gleams over the temple’s marble base. The temple is surrounded by the Amrit Sarovar, a sacred pool of water considered holy by devotees. It is famous for its langar, serving free meals daily to thousands of visitors, embodying Sikh principles of equality and selfless service.
4. Tirumala Tirupati Venkateswara Temple, India
The Tirumala Tirupati Venkateswara Temple, located on the Tirumala Hills in Andhra Pradesh, India, is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Vishnu. The temple’s origins trace back to the early medieval period, with successive contributions from South Indian dynasties shaping its magnificent Dravidian architecture over centuries. The black stone idol of Lord Venkateswara in the sanctum is adorned with gold and precious jewels, and the temple features a prominent gold-plated tower called Ananda Nilayam. With over 50 million devotees visiting annually, it is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites globally. The temple receives abundant donations of cash, gold, and silver from devotees and owns extensive lands and properties. It is also known for the sacred practice of hair tonsuring by pilgrims as an offering.
The temple is situated on the Tirumala Hills at about 853 meters altitude and has origins dating back to the early medieval period, with important contributions from Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas, and particularly the Vijayanagara Empire over several centuries. It exemplifies Dravidian architecture, featuring towering gopurams, intricately carved pillars, and a gold-plated tower called Ananda Nilayam over the sanctum housing a black stone idol of Venkateswara adorned with gold and jewels. The temple receives more than 50 million pilgrims annually, making it one of the world’s most visited religious sites. It is richly endowed with donations in cash, gold, silver, and possessions, and it owns extensive lands across India.
3. Temple of Heaven, China (estimated net worth: $11 billion)
The Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China, is a grand complex of ancient religious buildings constructed between 1406 and 1420 during the Ming Dynasty under Emperor Yongle. Covering about 2.73 square kilometers, it was used by emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to perform annual ceremonies offering sacrifices to Heaven and praying for good harvests. The layout of the complex symbolizes harmony between heaven and earth, with circular buildings representing heaven and square areas symbolizing earth. The most significant structures include the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Circular Mound Altar, and the Imperial Vault of Heaven, all connected along a north-south axis. The Temple of Heaven is celebrated for its unique wooden architectural designs, intricate symbolism, and cultural significance. It was last extensively renovated in the 18th century and today stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and major cultural landmark in Beijing.
2. Wat Phra Kaew, Thailand (estimated net worth: $15 billion)
Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand, located within the Grand Palace complex in Bangkok. Constructed beginning in 1783 by King Rama I, it houses the Emerald Buddha, a small statue carved from a single block of jade, revered as the protector of Thailand and a symbol of the monarchy’s close relationship to Buddhism. The temple complex is richly decorated with gold, precious stones, and colorful mosaics, and features traditional Thai architectural styles. Key rituals include the ceremonial changing of the Emerald Buddha’s garments by the king three times a year to mark seasonal changes. The temple plays a central role in royal ceremonies and remains the spiritual heart and a national symbol of Thailand.
1. Shree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, India (estimated net worth: $22 billion)
The Shree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, is a historic and architecturally significant temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his reclining Anantha Shayana form. With origins dating back to at least the 8th century, the temple combines Kerala and Dravidian architectural styles, notable for its towering 100-foot gopuram and precise solar alignments. The 18-foot idol of Lord Padmanabhaswamy contains thousands of sacred salagrama stones inside. The temple came into global prominence in 2011 following the discovery of vast treasures in its underground vaults, including gold, silver, diamonds, and antique artifacts valued in billions. The Travancore Royal Family has historically managed the temple, and a centuries-old ritual dedicated the kingdom’s assets to the deity, explaining the temple’s colossal wealth and land ownership. One vault remains unopened due to strong religious beliefs. The temple is also celebrated for its exquisite carvings, murals, and alignment with celestial phenomena. The temple also owns extensive lands and properties, reflecting its immense wealth.
Give Golden temple its real name which is Harmander Sahib and it is a Gurdwara and not a temple.