Faith and the Economy
How Big Temples Manage Their Money
How India's richest temples like Tirumala earn and spend huge sums, who manages them, and debates over government control of temple funds.
Some Indian temples are among the wealthiest religious institutions in the world.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
- TTD, which manages the Sri Venkateswara temple in Andhra Pradesh, has an annual budget of several thousand crore rupees.
- It holds large fixed deposits and tonnes of gold.
Sources of income
- Hundi offerings: cash and valuables donated by devotees.
- Darshan tickets, especially special paid darshan.
- Prasadam sales, like the famous Tirupati laddu.
- Hair donated by devotees, auctioned for wigs and extensions.
- Interest on deposits.
Spending
- Temple operations and staff.
- Schools, colleges and hospitals.
- Free meals for pilgrims.
- Infrastructure for pilgrims.
Management
- Many big Hindu temples in states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala are managed by state-appointed boards or government departments.
- Critics argue temples should be run by devotee communities; supporters say state oversight prevents mismanagement.
The hair auction
Devotees at Tirumala offer their hair as a vow. The temple auctions tonnes of it to wig makers, earning crores of rupees each year.
Thinking temple donations only fund rituals
Big temples also fund schools, hospitals and free meals.
Key takeaways
- Big temples like Tirumala have budgets of thousands of crores.
- Income comes from offerings, tickets, prasadam, hair and interest.
- Spending includes schools, hospitals and meals.
- Government control of temples is debated.
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