The Richest Temples in India

India better known as the land of a place where religion is given an utmost importance. Even though we are moving towards modernism yet our culture, rituals and religion are well preserved. Many ancient temples still stand straight to tell the saga of India’s rich religious heritage. Some of these temples are still working and among the richest temples of India. Few among the category of the richest temples are not ancient but because of the immense number of followers and devotees are in this list. So let’s check out some of the wealthiest temples in India.

1. Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kerala 

This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one of the 108 holy abodes of Lord Vishnu (Divya Desams). Even the Thiruvananthapuram place got its name from Lord Vishnu that literally means “the land of Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswamy”. This temple has also been mentioned in many great Epics and Puranas. Some scholars believe that the temple was established about 5000 years ago on the first day of Kali Yuga. Padmanabhaswamy Temple is the wealthiest temple is India having a worth of more than 1.2 lakh crore or 1.2 trillion (US$21 billion).

2. Tirupati Balaji

Tirupati Balaji is one of the richest temples in India that is located in Chitoor district, Andhra Pradesh and dedicated to Lord Venkateswarwa, a form of Lord Vishnu. Daily the temple is visited by about 50,000 to 100,000 devotees and during festivals the number even goes above 500,000 visitors. In terms of wealth this temple comes after Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Hair tonsuring is one of the main activities performed at the temple. It is believed that once Lord Balaji was hit by shepherd on his head leading to baldness on that area. Neela Devi, a Gandharva princess took notice of his baldness and through magic implanted her portion of hair on Lord’s head as she could not bear any flaw on such a beautiful face of the Lord. Lord came to know about her sacrifice and promised that all the devotees who would come and offer their hair to him would be received by Neela Devi. The temple’s organization organizes auction of hair few times a year. International buyers buy these hair brining over an additional $6 million to the temple’s treasury.

3. Vaishno Devi

Vaishno Devi is one of the oldest and richest temples in India that is located in the hills of Jammu and Kashmir at a distance of about 14 km from Katra. The shrine is dedicated to Shakti Maa Vaishno Devi. The temple is visited by about 8 million pilgrims each year and after Tirumala Venkateswara temple, Vaishno Devi is the second most visited shrine.

4. Somnath Temple, Gujarat

Somnath Temple is located in the Prabhas Kshetra on the western coast of Gujarat and dedicated to Lord Shiva. Somnath means ‘The Protector of the Moon God’ and it is believed that the temple was created by the Moon God in gold in honor of Lord Shiva. The temple was destroyed and reconstructed many a times. Somnath temple was recreated in Silver by Ravana, in wood by Lord Krishna and in stone by the kings. Recently it has been restored in 1951 by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The temple is built in the Chalukya style of architecture.

5. Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai

Siddhivinayak Temple is located in Prabhadevi, Mumbai and dedicated to Lord Ganesha. This temple is visited by famous and rich people and celebrities. Siddhivinayak Temple was built on November 19, 1801 by Laxman Vithu and Deubai Patil but the present generation of the temple’s creator is staying in a very poor condition near the temple. Siddhivinayak Temple is one of the richest temples in Mumbai. Each year the temple receives donations of approximately 100-500 million Rupees.

6. Meenakshi Temple, Madurai

The Meenakshi Sundareshwarar temple is located in Madurai, Tamil Nadu and dedicated to Lord Shiva (Sundareshwarar) and Parvati (Meenakshi). As per a legend, it is the same place where Lord Vishnu gave the hand of Parvati to Lord Shiva. Everyday about 15,000 visitors visit the temple and on Friday the number goes to 25,000. 985 carved pillars are the actually beauty of the temple in addition to ts splendid architecture.

7. Jagannath Temple, Puri

Jagannath Temple is located in Puri, Odisha and dedicated to Lord Jagannath (Lord of the Universe). This temple is of immense value for the devotees who worship Lord Krishna and Vishnu. Jagannath Temple is one of the pilgrimages of Char Dham Yatra that Hindus do once in their lifetime. Annual Rath Yatra of Jagannath Temple is particularly very famous.

8. Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is situated on the western bank of the River Ganga in Varanasi and dedicated to Lord Shiva. The main deity in the temple is known as Vishwanatha or Vishweshwara that means Ruler of the Universe. It is believed that one can be on the path to Moksha (liberation) by visiting this temple and taking bath in holy river Ganga. Also it is a belief that one who picks up Vishwanath Temple as his or her ending place, gets mantra of salvation directly from the Lord Shiva.

Some Other Local temple

1.Kokilavan Dham Kosi Kalan Mathura

Kokilavan Dham is the famous temple of Shanidev. This temple is situated at kosi kalan, Near Mathura in Uttar Pradesh (INDIA). It is believed that kokilavan dham is the place where Lord Shri Krishna gave Darshan to Shani Dev. this also one of the major temples in Hodal, this temple is devoted to Lord Hanuman and visited by numerous devotees and the temple management organizes yearly fest in the temple.

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2. Tyagi Baba Mandir HODAL

this also one of the major temples in Hodal, this temple is devoted to Lord Hanuman and visited by numerous devotees and the temple management organizes yearly fest in the temple.

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3. Chameli Van HODAL

this is one of the major attractions in Hodal, tourists can come across more than 100 species of birds and very old Lord Hanuman Temple is located in this region, which is visited by numerous devotees.

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4. Panchvati Temple PALWAL

This is a temple named after Pandavas. As per the legend, Pandavas did spend their days of exile at this place. Later a temple was constructed here.

Panchavati Mandir is a Hindu temple which is a great symbol of the religion for the people of palwal.The Panchvati Temple located on the South of the town is dedicated to the five mythological heroes – the Pandavas. The beautiful paintings in the temple narrate the exile period of the Pandavas and inspire the victory of truth over evil. An idol of Lord Hanuman is also placed in the temple

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10 Most Famous Temples of India

india is a land of diversity. India is a land of varied cultures. India is a land of festivals. And then India is a land of temples.

1| Meenakshi Amman Temple - Madurai

The name synonymous with the name of Madurai. Madurai's Meenakshi temple is considered to be the largest as per the size and the area in India.

It is the most famous temple of Tamil Nadu. There are nearly 14 gopurams or gateways that are so magnificently carved out and beautiful paintings adorn the walls with thousands and thousands of stone figures. Out of the fourteen towers, though only four are the major ones and are on all sides i.e the southern, eastern, western, and northern tower are the spectacular ones.

It is a beautiful temple and one of the oldest in India which dates back its establishment to the sixteenth century.

2| Golden Temple - Amritsar

Golden temple or the Harmandir Sahib is considered as the holiest shrine in Sikhism.

Scores of people from all over the world and from all religions come to visit it. The temple is gold plated and the interiors are decorated with marvelous architecture that will take your breath away.

The annual harvest festival of Baisakhi attracts tens of thousands of people and is celebrated with great warmth and intensity. Also other festival such as Diwali is also celebrated with great excitement.

If you watch Bollywood movies then you might know that it also has been shown in many of them. Besides its the home for the largest free eatery, or more commonly known as Langar (community kitchen) where people from any religion irrespective of their caste, creed, poor or rich can come and eat for free. Nearly as much as 50,000 eat here daily and as much as one lakh on weekends.

3| Sai Baba - Shirdi

With the message of Sabka Malik Ek Hai (One God Governs All), Sai Baba came in the small village of Shirdi. He thought that there is one god and taught people to love, be kind, to help others selflessly.

Hindus and Muslims and people from all religions are devotees of Sai. The temple located at Shirdi is one of the major places of worship in Maharastra.

People from more than 300-400 Km come walking as a yearly padyatra (Travel by Walk) from their place. Don't be surprised to see people aged 80 and children aged as less as 8 to take padyatras.

4| Vaishno Devi Mandir - Katra

This is dedicated to Mata Vaishnaw Dewi and is one of the most visited temples in India. And to state a fact it is the second most visited temple of India. It is located at about a height of 5200 feet above the land.

The temple is very significant among Hindus and most of Hindus try to visit it at least once in a lifetime.

If you are planning to visit then it is mandatory to take the Yatra Registration Card (YRC) or Parchi. The YRC is available free of cost at the Katra bus station which also happens to be the nearest bus stop. YRC can also be obtained online from the official website by paying Rs. 50 per person. No private parties can issue the YRC.

5| Tirumala Venkateswara - Tirupati

The most visited temple of India also happens to be the most visited place of worship in the world. All this while the it was considered as the most wealthiest temple of the world until a treasure was found at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy in Kerala.

People here come over with every wish; some to get wealth, some to donate their wealth, some in a wish to get a child, some come and conduct their marriage here.

It gets nearly 50,000 daily visitors and annual of 40 million visitors. Devotees offer huge amount of cash and gold over here. As an estimate the annual gold offered here is more than 3000 kgs.

6| Shravana Belgola - Hassan

Shravana Belgola is the name of the place where the tallest monolithic statue of the world stands. But there are also many other statues that are taller than this one such as Hanuman Murti at Paritala, Andhra Pradesh.

This is one of the most sacred places of Jainism. Sharavana Belgola or Sravanabelgola as it may be pronounced has two hills namely Vindyagiri and Chandragiri. The statue is located at the Vindyagiri hills. It is a 57 feet tall statue.

Mahamasthakabhisheka is a festival which takes place every twelve years where the statue is embrocated with milk, oil, ghee, sandalwood etc. Lakhs of people visit for this festival. The ceremony last took place in 2006 and the next is scheduled in 2018. Sure I will be there.

7| Chennakesava temple - Belur

This one at Belur and the Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu are very near to Shravan Belgola. Actually whoever visits Shravan Belgola does visit the Chennakesava and the Hoysaleswara temple.

It is definitely one of the finest examples of excellence in architecture. Build in the 11th century and still stands tall perfectly fine.

It is actually a complex with the Chennakesava temple at the centre flanked by many smaller ones on its left and right.

8| Hoysaleswara Temple - Halebidu

Not far from the Chennakesava temple is another marvelous piece of architecture again belonging to the erstwhile empire of the Hoysala which ruled most of south India in the 10th to the 14 century.

Legend has is that this was never completed as every time the construction started it was attacked from evaders from north India.

Though it may be incomplete but the beauty and eloquence of the structure is mind boggling. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has numerous other finely carved statues and pillars. Go back in time and visit the ancient town of Halebidu.

9| Sabarimala - Kottayam

The sabarimala temple is situated surrounding 18 hills. This is the place for largest annual gathering of pilgrims. It is not opened round the year but only for 41 days between the month of November and December, the day of Makar Sankranti, the Vishu, and first six days of every Malayalam month.

For the annual pilgrimage, lakhs of devotees take 41 day fast and refrain from any material belongings. The fast observed is one of the toughest and devotees are required to abstain from alcohol, sex (not even touching a woman is permitted), they are allowed only eat food one time and to take bath twice.

Women in their menstrual age are not allowed here.

10| Murugan Temple - Palani

The temple located at a small town of Palani much famous for its temple than anything else. It is one of the six abode's of Lord Karthik. Most importantly the foremost than any other abode of Lord Karthik. Other famous being the one at Thiruchendur

There is a short little fascinating story about how He choose Palani as his abode. I know many Hindus might have heard this before but still let me go in to this a bit further. It happens that Narad muni brings with himself a fruit, the fruit of wiseness to gift it to Lord Shiva. But Lord Shiva as an affectionate father thinks to divide the fruit between two of his sons: Lord Ganesha and Lord Karthik. But Narada muni was against it.

So Lord Shiva advised that whoever of the two sons returns first circling the world thrice will get the fruit. Quickly, Lord Karthik started to circle the world on his peacock. But Ganesha instead decided to circle their parents thereby declaring that my world is only you: my parents. Thus lord Shiva awarded the fruit to Ganesha which didn't went down well with Karthik. So He decided to leave the mountains of Kailash and took his abode in Palani.

Char Dham Temple

Find the below Char dham temples situated  by Adi Guru Shankrachyra.

1. Puri

Puri located at the east, is located in the state of Odisha, India. Puri is one of the oldest cities in the eastern part of the country. It is situated on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. The main deity is Shri Krishna, celebrated as Lord Jagannatha. It is the only shrine in India, where goddess, Subhadra, sister of Lord Krishna is worshipped along with her brothers, Lord Jagannatha and Lord Balabhadra. The main temple here is about 1000 years old and constructed by Raja Choda Ganga Deva and Raja Tritiya Ananga Bhima Deva. Puri is the site of the Govardhana Matha, one of the four cardinal institutions or Mathas established by Adi Shankaracharya. Brahma, Vishnu & Maheswara three are together in all-time every place. In Kali yuga Sreemandir as jagannath temple in Puri. Jagannath-Vishnu, Balabhadra-Maheswara & Subhadra-Brahma. This is the plume for Oriya people to celebrate a special day in this Dham which is known as Ratha Yatra.

 2. Rameswaram

Rameswaram located in the South is in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is situated in the Gulf of Mannar at the very tip of the Indian peninsula. According to legends, this is the place from where Lord Rama, built a bridge Ram Setu to Lanka. The Ramanatha Swamy Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva occupies a major area of Rameswaram. The temple is believed to have been consecrated by Shri Rama Chandra. Rameswaram is significant for the Hindus as a pilgrimage to Benaras is incomplete without a pilgrimage to Rameswaram. The presiding deity here is in the form of a Linga with the name Sri Ramanatha Swamy, it also is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Brahma, Vishnu & Maheswara three are together in all-time every place. Rama-Vishnu, Laxman-Brahma & Hanuman-Maheswara.

3. Dwarka

Dwarka located in the west is in the state of Gujarat, India. The city derives its name from the word "dvar" meaning door or gate in theSanskrit language. It is located confluence to where the Gomti River merges into the Arabian Sea. However, this river Gomti is not the same Gomti River which is tributary of Ganga River The city lies in the westernmost part of India. The legendary city of Dwaraka was the dwelling place of Lord Krishna. It is believed^[who?] that due to damage and destruction by the sea, Dvaraka has submerged six times and modern day Dwarka is the 7th such city to be built in the area

4. Badrinath

Badrinath is located in the state of Uttarakhand. It is in the Garhwal hills, on the banks of the Alaknanda River. The town lies between the Nar and Narayana mountain ranges and in the shadow of Nilkantha peak (6,560m).

10 Beautiful Temples In India

Indian temples are known for its architectural style, sculpture and arts. Some Beautiful temples are below 

1. Brihadeeswarar Temple

The big temple is the most famous and popular monuments and architecture of Great Living Chola Temples. Brihadeeswara temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the seven wonders of India.

2. Hoysaleswara Temple

The Hoysaleswara temple is dedicated to Hindu god Shiva,is one of the major religious centres in the Hassan District of Karnataka.Temple of Hoysaleswara  is renowned for its exquisite architecture.

3. Terracotta Temples

The terracotta temples of Bishnupur are the most exquisite temples, located in the Bankura district of West Bengal. The village of Bishnupur is also famous for its snake festival.

4. Chausath Yogini Temple

The Chausath Yogini Temple of Jabalpur are group of temples,located near the marbles of Bhedaghat. Its is one of the most famous Chausath Yogini Temple in India other’s are at Odisha.

5. Sun Temple Modhera

The beautiful Sun temple of Modhera is dedicated to the Hindu Sun-God, Surya, situated on the bank of the river Pushpavati. Its is one of the most famous sun temples among the other 8 Sun Temples in India.

6. Tungnath Temple

The highest Shiva temple in the world,Tunganath is situated in the high mountain range of Uttarakhand. Its one of the five and the highest Panch Kedar temple of Lord Shiva in Uttarakhand.

8. Badami Cave Temples

The Badami cave temple complex is one of the most famous cave temple in India,It has four caves dedicated to lord Shiva, dedicated to Vishnu and the fourth cave is Jaina.

9. Chennakesava Temple

The Chennakesava Temple is situated on the banks of the Yagachi River in Belur and dedicated to Hindu god Vishnu. Belur is favored tourist destinations in Karnataka known for its marvelous temples.

10. Temple of Orchha

rchha is another famous tourist spot located near to the Land of Love and Lust,Khajuraho. Orchha complex has Chaturbhuj Temple,Lakshmi Temple and Ram Raja Temple.

Seeyamangalam Cave Temple

The rock cut temples of Seeyamangalam are old heritage, sculptures of Mahaveerar, Parshavanthar and Bahubali are seen here. It is one of the finest art from Pallava architecture and the other one is shore temple of Mahabalipuram.