Daijiworld Media Network - Kadaba

Kadaba, May 11: The renowned Kukke Subrahmanya Temple, which functions under Karnataka’s Muzrai department, has once again emerged as the highest-earning temple in the state for the 2025–26 financial year. The temple reported a total revenue of Rs 167.89 crore, continuing its position as Karnataka’s No. 1 Muzrai temple for the 15th consecutive year.

According to official records, the temple generated an income of Rs 167,89,09,080.77 between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. During the same period, expenditures amounted to Rs 85.20 crore. In comparison, the temple had earned Rs 155.95 crore in the previous financial year, marking an increase of nearly Rs 12 crore this year.

Temple authorities stated that major revenue sources included special vow-based rituals and services, offerings from devotees, hundi collections, interest earned from investments, rent from temple buildings and choultries, as well as income from agricultural estates and plantations.

Major sources of income

The temple received revenue from multiple streams, including:
• Rs 2.53 crore through contracts and leases
• Rs 10.5 lakh from agricultural produce and plantation products
• Rs 94.46 lakh from rent collected from buildings and commercial shops
• Rs 5.47 crore through direct offerings by devotees
• Rs 38 lakh through e-Hundi collections
• Significant income from sevas and temple rituals
• Rs 49.11 crore from investment interest
• Additional earnings from savings account interest and sweep account transactions
• Revenue from other miscellaneous sources, development funds, and permanent seva deposits

Steady financial growth over the years

The temple has witnessed remarkable growth in revenue over the past two decades. In 2006–07, the annual income stood at Rs 19.76 crore. By 2007–08, the revenue rose to Rs 24.44 crore, helping the temple gain recognition as one of Karnataka’s wealthiest religious institutions.

The earnings continued to grow steadily in the following years:
• Rs 31 crore in 2008–09
• Rs 38.51 crore in 2009–10
• Rs 56.24 crore in 2011–12
• Rs 66.76 crore in 2012–13
• Rs 77.60 crore in 2014–15
• Rs 88.83 crore in 2015–16
• Rs 95.92 crore in 2017–18
• Rs 98.92 crore in 2019–20

Although the COVID-19 pandemic affected temple activities during 2020–21, reducing revenue to Rs 68.94 crore, the institution quickly recovered in subsequent years.

The temple posted:
• Rs 72.73 crore in 2021–22
• Rs 123.64 crore in 2022–23
• Rs 146.01 crore in 2023–24
• Rs 155.95 crore in 2024–25
• Rs 167.89 crore in 2025–26

With consistent growth in pilgrim footfall, online offerings, and religious services, Kukke Subrahmanya Temple continues to strengthen its status as one of the most financially successful and spiritually significant temples in Karnataka.