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A social media post on temple business idea has gone viral. A Reddit post has triggered a debate after a user claimed that a newly opened temple earned Rs 1.4 crore in just four months. According to the post, the user’s father refused to join his friend in opening a temple, saying he did not want to profit from people’s religious beliefs. The friend, however, went ahead with the idea, reportedly taking a loan and investing Rs 35 lakh. Within months, the temple allegedly earned Rs 1.4 crore money that, as the post highlighted, is not taxed.
The user wrote that while his father spent over three decades building a career to reach an annual income of Rs 85 lakh, his friend earned more in a few months through the temple. This, he said, left his father with a sense of regret for missing out on what appeared to be a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity.
Faith or business?
The post has sparked debate across platforms. Some users criticised the idea of treating a temple like a business venture, saying it exploits people’s faith. Others pointed out that religious institutions in India often attract heavy donations, especially during festivals, and many function without strict financial oversight.At the same time, several people argued that the younger generation may not contribute as much in the future, given changing attitudes towards religion. This raises questions about whether temples will remain as financially sustainable as they appear today.
Adding to the discussion, one Reddit user shared: “It may sound ridiculous to many, but this has been happening in many cities already. City’s rich businessmen convert prime location land with good road connectivity into a temple with a ‘prasad stall’ where you can pay and eat onion- and garlic-free satvik food. You won’t believe the footfall for such food; it can beat the next vegetarian restaurant in the city. There is heavy rush on special puja days like Sankranti, Krishna Janmashtami, Ram Navami, Navratri etc. And I am yet to talk about the temple donation box income. So people have always commercialised religion. If you don’t misuse your power of influence and just stick to the rules, nothing is wrong.”
India has thousands of temples, many of which receive crores in donations every year. While large temples like Tirupati and Shirdi openly declare their income and run charitable activities, smaller local temples often operate without transparency.
The discussion has also revived a broader debate: should religious donations be brought under stricter regulation and taxation, or should they continue to enjoy exemptions as an expression of people’s faith?
