Why Hindus Stopped Worshipping Kubera, the Forgotten God of Wealth

Kubera’s earliest presence in the Atharvaveda and Shatapatha Brahmaṇa was ambiguous. He was described as a ruler of spirits, even associated at times with thieves and tricksters. Later, in the Epics and Puranas, his image softened into something nobler: the celestial treasurer, guardian of wealth, and king of the Yakshas. Yet, unlike Vishnu, Shiva, or Devi, this elevated role never translated into widespread devotion. The Trimurti and their consorts came to embody devotion that was both intimate and cosmic, weaving personal prayer into daily life. Kubera, like Indra or Agni before him, remained part of the mythology but not of the heart. His story shows how Hindu faith gradually shifted, from ritual offerings to personal gods, from cosmic forces to companions in devotion.


Kubera ruled over gold, jewels, and abundance. But in the hierarchy of Hindu thought, wealth is never the ultimate goal. Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha form the four aims of life, yet the scriptures consistently remind us that liberation and righteousness outweigh possession.
Where Kubera represents wealth, deities like Lakshmi, Ganesha, and Saraswati embody the qualities behind it, fortune, wisdom, and learning. These touch the deeper yearnings of the soul, while Kubera remained bound to the material layer. For that reason, he was respected but not adored.


Kubera is still remembered during Dhanteras, Akshaya Tritiya, and certain temple rituals. But his shrines are rare, and the absence of a strong temple tradition means he is less visible in daily devotion. Some traditions even note that as a Yaksha, Kubera holds an appointed seat rather than eternal divinity. “An honorary deva,” some say, “bestowed by Mahadeva himself.” This distinction, subtle as it is, may have kept many from seeking him directly in prayer.


Though temples are few, his stories remain timeless.

• When Kubera tried to impress Shiva and Parvati with a lavish feast, it was young Ganesha’s unending hunger that taught him humility, true wealth lies not in pride, but in generosity.
• When Ravana drove him from Lanka, Kubera endured the loss with dignity. His life reminds us that outer riches may vanish, but inner strength sustains.
• As treasurer of the gods, he embodies responsibility, that wealth is not ownership but stewardship, to be managed ethically and used for good.

These lessons ripple through texts like the Puranas and even the Arthashastra: money without wisdom is dangerous, but wealth guided by dharma uplifts society.

Kubera may not have the grand festivals of Ganesha or the countless shrines of Lakshmi, but perhaps that is the point. His worship was never meant to be loud; it was meant to be lived.

• Prosperity is not measured by what you hold, but by how you use it.
• Detachment does not mean indifference, it means freedom from being ruled by what you own.
• Generosity is not an act of charity, it is the highest form of wealth.

So, why has his worship receded? Because the real temple of Kubera is not made of stone or gold. It is built in the choices we make every day, how we earn, how we share, and how we rise above possession.
In remembering Kubera, we are reminded that wealth is not the destination of life. It is the instrument, meant to create dignity, harmony, and wisdom in the journey toward something greater.