As gold prices in India hit record highs, the value of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) gold reserves has crossed Rs 11,000 crore, making the temple trust one of the most significant holders of gold among religious institutions. With over 11,329 kilograms of gold deposited in banks under the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS), and an additional 500 kg in ornamental form adorning deities, TTD’s treasury stands as a unique intersection of faith and finance, steadily growing both in wealth and reverence.
Annual Donations Fueling Gold Deposits
Every year, TTD receives between 800 and 1,000 kilograms of gold through offerings made by devotees at the Srivari Hundi. These offerings often include complete sets of personal jewelry, donated as a mark of devotion. After collection, the gold is purified, melted, and converted into gold biscuits before being deposited into long-term schemes with public sector banks such as State Bank of India and Indian Overseas Bank. Since 2015, TTD has been earning an annual interest of 2.5% on these deposits through the Central Government’s GMS. In the financial year 2023–24 alone, the trust deposited 1,031 kilograms of gold. As of April 2025, with the gold price touching Rs 98.24 lakh per kg, the value of TTD’s deposited gold stands at a staggering Rs 11,129 crore, generating around Rs 278 crore annually in interest income.
Temple Ornaments and Devotional Craftsmanship
Beyond deposits, TTD also holds nearly 500 kilograms of gold in the form of temple ornaments used in daily rituals and during festivals. These adornments, worn by Sri Venkateswara and Utsava Murthys, include intricately designed crowns, swords, garlands, and sacred emblems. Often, devotees who wish to offer large gold ornaments consult TTD for precise specifications, including dimensions and gemstone use. Based on these instructions, the ornaments are crafted and ceremoniously offered to the temple. One such notable offering came from Tejaswi, granddaughter of former TTD Chairman DK Adhikeshava Naidu, who donated a rare Vyjayanti Mala valued at over Rs 2 crore.
TTD’s gold assets have appreciated significantly in value due to the recent 30% rise in gold prices, jumping from Rs 8,500 crore in April 2024 to over Rs 11,129 crore in April 2025, reinforcing its position not just as a spiritual epicenter, but also as a formidable financial entity.
