The Magnificent Temples Of India – The Biggest Hoarders Of Gold
Introduction
Have you ever wondered just how much gold India’s most visited and wealthiest temples possess?
It’s no secret that Indians love gold, but the amount of gold donated to India’s religious places is astounding. Many temples have amassed a remarkable collection of gold, some even having reserves of gold coins, jewellery, and other items.
Discover the immense wealth of India’s temples and the unique stories behind their gold collections.
India is home to many ancient and revered temples, some of which are said to hold vast reserves of gold. These reserves are often considered to be sacred and are used for various religious purposes such as performing puja (worship), funding religious events, and supporting temple operations.
Indians are known to be the world’s biggest private hoarders of gold, with many religious followers donating gold to temples over the centuries. This has resulted in India’s 3 million religious houses amassing an impressive amount of the precious metal – estimated to be around 4,000 tons.
When the coronavirus pandemic struck the whole world and brought everything to halt and with the temples shutting down during that period. India’s 3 million religious houses were forced to consider depositing some of their gold reserves with banks to keep their heads above water.
It was a difficult decision that speaks to both the immense wealth of India’s temples and the far-reaching impact of the pandemic. This decision had a great impact on the global Gold market.
According to a media report, the renowned Vaishno Devi Temple in India has received staggering amounts of donations over the last two decades – an astonishing 1,800 kgs of gold, over 4,700 kgs of silver, and a whopping Rs 2,000 crore cash – all from devoted worshippers!
This unprecedented information was obtained by Kumaon-based activist Hemant Gauniya through an RTI. With such generous contributions from devotees, the temple is sure to continue to be an important pilgrimage site for many years to come.
Another very famous temple from the south of India, Sri Venkateswara Temple which is managed by The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) states that the temple has an incredible 9,000 kg of pure gold in their reserves.
This includes 7,235 kg deposited with two nationalised banks under different gold deposit schemes and an additional 1,934 kg of gold held in their treasury. Last month, the TTD received 1,381 kg of gold back from Punjab National Bank at the end of a 3-year term deposit.
The TTD Board is currently studying various gold deposit schemes in order to determine where the 1,381 kg of gold will be deposited, ensuring that they receive the best returns. The additional 553 kg of gold in their treasury is made up of small jewellery and other items devotedly offered by devotees.
The majestic Somnath Temple in Gujarat, located to the west of India, is a testament to India’s rich spiritual heritage. Believed to be one of the country’s first Jyotirlinga made of gold, the temple is purported to hold an estimated 109 kg of gold. Visitors flock to this temple to experience its grandeur and to pay their respects to the divine.
One of the world’s wealthiest temples, the Padmanabhaswamy temple in Kerala, holds an incredible fortune of 1.2 trillion dollars in gold and precious metals. Historians call it the ‘Golden temple’ due to its enormous amount of gold.
The flag staff in front of the temple is also made of gold, a testament to its grandeur. Even ancient Sangam Tamil literature and poetry refer to the walls of the temple and city as being made of gold. A visit to the Padmanabhaswamy temple is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
The Golden Temple of Amritsar, Punjab is one of the most renowned pilgrimages amongst Sikhs worldwide. The site holds immense spiritual significance, and its current structure is embellished with a 500 kg gold cover, worth an estimated 140 crores today.
Visitors to the temple make generous offerings of money and gold out of religious devotion. The Golden Temple is truly a sight to behold and a pilgrimage of a lifetime.
In Conclusion,
It is clear that the temples of India, with their immense wealth, are not only a source of religious and spiritual significance, but also an incredible force for good in society. The gold stored in these temples plays an important role in providing for social causes and charity, demonstrating the power of collective wealth for good. As such, these temples should be celebrated and respected not just for their spiritual connection, but also for their contributions to society.