Indian temples have long relied on a combination of technology and physical security to protect the vast sums of money donated by devotees. The system has largely held firm, though the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) recently launched a probe into alleged embezzlement by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) staff.
Live-streamed counting ensures transparency
Many major temples, including the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai and the Shri Sai Baba Temple in Shirdi, now broadcast the counting of donations live on their official websites and YouTube channels. This practice, introduced over the past decade, allows devotees to witness the process in real time, reducing the scope for theft. At the Meenakshi Temple, officials state that the live feed is monitored by a dedicated team and archived for at least six months.
The Shri Sai Baba Temple, which receives an average of ₹1.5 crore in cash and gold monthly, uses multiple cameras positioned above counting tables. According to a temple trustee, “The live stream has cut down discrepancies by over 90% since its launch in 2019.”
Underground strong rooms and vaults
For long-term storage, temples employ underground strong rooms built to withstand natural disasters and forced entry. The Sabarimala Temple in Kerala, for instance, stores its offerings—including gold, silver, and currency—in a vault located 20 feet below the main sanctum. This room is accessible only through a steel door with a time lock and requires two separate keys held by different officials.
The Ram Temple in Ayodhya, which opened in 2024, has a similar underground facility capable of holding up to ₹500 crore in valuables. A temple spokesperson explained, “The underground hall is climate-controlled and monitored 24/7 by CCTV, with seismic sensors linked to the local police station.”
Allegations of embezzlement at TTD
Despite these measures, the TTD—which manages the richest temple in India, the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple—faces a CID investigation into allegations that staff embezzled funds from the hundi (donation box). The probe, launched in June 2026, focuses on a period between 2023 and 2025 when an estimated ₹12 crore went missing. TTD officials have denied the claims, stating that internal audits found no evidence of large-scale theft.
According to CID sources, the investigation centers on a group of employees who allegedly manipulated counting records. “We are examining bank deposits and cross-referencing them with daily donation logs,” a CID officer said, requesting anonymity.
Other security measures
Beyond live streams and vaults, temples have adopted additional safeguards. The Meenakshi Temple uses tamper-proof donation boxes with electronic counters. At the Shri Sai Baba Temple, all staff undergo random polygraph tests twice a year. The Sabarimala Temple employs a team of 50 security personnel from the Kerala Police during the pilgrimage season.
These systems have helped maintain devotee trust. A 2025 survey by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department found that 87% of respondents felt their donations were safe. However, the TDD case serves as a reminder that human error or malfeasance can still occur.
