This eclipses previous highest of Rs 1,153.26 Cr; trust’s cumulative fixed deposits across banks stand at Rs 13,287.62 crore as of March 31, and gold reserves have swelled to 11,329.67 kg, valued at over Rs 8,400 crore at current rates
The world’s richest Hindu temples trust, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which runs the world-renowned Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple dedicated to the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the preserver or protector of the universe, in Tirupati town of Chittor district in Andhra Pradesh state, has recorded a new financial high.
Deccan Chronicle has reported quoting sources that the trust has invested Rs 1,161.08 crore in fixed deposits during 2023-24, eclipsing its previous highest of Rs 1,153.26 crore set in 2015-16. It also received a staggering 1,031 kg in gold offerings worth around Rs 773 crore from devotees during the financial year. The trust’s cumulative fixed deposits across banks stand at Rs 13,287.62 crore as of March 31, and gold reserves have swelled to 11,329.67 kg, valued at over Rs 8,400 crore at current rates.
The report said over the past 12 years, from 2013 to 2024, barring the Covid-impacted years of 2021 (Rs 270 crore) and 2022 (Rs 274 crore) along with 2019 (Rs 285 crore), TTD has consistently made fixed deposits exceeding Rs 500 crore annually.
TTD’s various trusts amassed Rs 5,529.51 crore from devotee contributions till March 31. The average annual earnings from interest alone amounts to Rs 1,600 crore. Now the total investments, including fixed deposits and donations received by various trusts, together have reached Rs 18,817.13 crore as on March 31, 2024.
About Lord Venkateswara
Venkateshwara is another form of Lord Vishnu. According to the Hindu scriptures, Vishnu, out of love towards his devotees, incarnated as Venkateswara and appeared for the salvation and upliftment of humanity in this Kali Yuga age. It is considered the supreme form of Vishnu in this age. The Venkateswara swami temple is also called Kaliyuga Vaikuntam.
The sacred spot on the hill about 2,800 feet above sea level is known as Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateswara in Tipupati town. The hill forms part of the Eastern Ghats and is also known as Venkatachala and Seshachala.
