Despite high prices, 1,031 kg gold donated to Tirumala trust in 2023

Despite soaring gold prices, reaching $2,400 per ounce this year, devotees continue to generously donate gold to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the world's richest Hindu temple trust. In 2023, TTD recorded a deposit of 1,031 kg of gold valued at Rs 773 crore. The trust holds a total of 11,329 kg of gold, worth Rs 8,496 crore, in nationalised banks under the gold monetisation scheme. The trend of increasing gold donations persists even as the global economy faces uncertainty, with TTD receiving an average of one tonne of gold annually over the past four years. Alongside gold, TTD also receives substantial cash offerings, with an average monthly donation exceeding Rs 100 crore. The temple's hundi collection averages Rs 1,600 crore yearly. TTD's assets include Rs 19,000 crore in fixed deposits, nearly 14 tonnes of gold, and 85,000 acres of property, reinforcing its status as India's wealthiest temple trust.