Temple How Much Do Indian Temples Earn ?
Temple earnings in India have witnessed significant growth over the past seven years. The country’s wealthiest temple trust, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), is projected to generate ₹4,774 crore in revenue in FY25, with its GST liability estimated at less than 1.5 per cent, according to a Moneycontrol analysis.
Temple Earnings and Revenue Streams
Among India’s most prominent religious institutions, Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu & Katra reported an income of ₹683 crore in FY24. Of this, ₹255 crore came from offerings, which remain exempt from taxation, while ₹133.3 crore was earned through interest income. A substantial ₹129.6 crore (19%) was derived from commercial sales, which fall under the purview of GST.
Similarly, Tirupati Trust (TTD) amassed ₹4,800 crore in FY24, with nearly one-third of its revenue coming from Hundi collections, which are tax-free. Over the past five financial years (FY21-FY25), the trust has paid ₹130 crore in GST.
In Kerala, Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram was issued a ₹1.57 crore GST liability notice for the period 2017-2024. The temple, which is believed to be among the world’s richest, had reported earnings of approximately ₹700 crore in 2014 alone.
GST Liabilities of Major Temples
TTD’s GST contributions have increased in recent years:
- FY17 – ₹14.7 crore
- FY22 – ₹15.58 crore
- FY23 – ₹32.15 crore
- FY24 – ₹32.95 crore
Meanwhile, Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple’s total GST liability since 2017 stands at ₹1.57 crore.
What Attracts GST in Temples?
While donations and religious services remain tax-free, various commercial activities undertaken by temple trusts fall under GST regulations.
Exempt from GST:
✔ Prasad and religious ceremonies are not taxed.
✔ Donations, which accounted for 37% of Vaishno Devi’s income and 34% of TTD’s revenue in FY24, are also exempt.
GST is applicable on:
❌ Room rentals above ₹1,000 per night.
❌ Community halls or open spaces rented for over ₹10,000.
❌ Shops and commercial establishments where rent exceeds ₹10,000 per month.
❌ Temple-run businesses, including souvenir shops and transport services like helicopter rides.
For instance, Vaishno Devi Trust earned ₹129.6 crore (19%) from sales and ₹84 crore (12%) from rentals in FY24, both of which are taxable under GST. 
Religion World has also deep dive into other famous temples. We find that temples have a spike in donations and they also paid GST.
In 2024, the Ayodhya Ram Mandir generated an estimated ₹700 crore in annual revenue, while its consecration ceremony is expected to drive business worth ₹1 lakh crore. The temple is set to significantly boost tourism in Uttar Pradesh, potentially contributing ₹4 lakh crore to the state’s economy. Additionally, the construction of the temple complex is projected to generate nearly ₹400 crore in GST revenue. Since its establishment in February 2020, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has received ₹3,500 crore in donations from devotees across the country. 
In 2023, the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple recorded an income of approximately ₹900 crore.
Donation Sources:
- ₹200 crore came from cash donations collected in donation boxes placed within the temple premises.
- The temple also received online donations and numerous devotees contributed gold and silver ornaments as offerings.
Conclusion
While temple donations and religious offerings continue to enjoy tax exemptions, revenue generated from commercial operations falls under GST regulations. With temple earnings witnessing a steady rise, the debate surrounding taxation of religious institutions continues to spark discussions.
- Religion World Bureau
