Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee on Friday placed top priority on the long-awaited inventory and valuation of jewels stored in the Ratna Bhandar, deciding that the entire exercise will be carried out in phases and all precious ornaments will be digitised. The committee has set an ambitious deadline, stressing that the process must be completed before Akshaya Trutiya.
The crucial meeting, chaired by Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb and spanning nearly four hours, reviewed a wide spectrum of administrative, infrastructural and security-related matters concerning the 12th-century shrine.
Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Dr. Arabinda Padhee, briefed the media that a significant portion of the discussion revolved around implementing a fully disciplined queue system for darshan inside the Natamandap. The existing wooden ramp will undergo design changes to ensure smoother movement and an orderly darshan experience. A separate Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for VIP and protocol darshan will also be framed.
On the matter of silver ingots recovered from Emar Mutt—currently a case is pending in the High Court—the committee explored legal avenues to bring them under the ownership of Mahaprabhu Jagannath while strictly adhering to court directives.
To strengthen the temple’s ornament reserves, devotees will now be able to donate gold and silver under the newly introduced Swarna Alankara Dana Yojana, aimed at creating an additional complete set of jewellery for the deities. The annual budget of the temple was also approved, with a new facility soon enabling devotees to donate directly to the Lord while withdrawing cash from ATMs in Puri.
The committee decided that the Gundicha Temple would be opened to devotees shortly, with SJTA itself taking responsibility for its maintenance—marking a shift from the previous system of giving it on ‘maahal’. Discussions also covered the protection of temple land, enhanced security arrangements, and the need for stronger provisions through amendments to the Shree Jagannath Temple Act.
Among the cultural and ritual-related proposals, ISKCON’s request to conduct a separate one-day Rath Yatra was reviewed, with the organisation confirming in writing that it would hold Snana Yatra on a single day. Plans for establishing an ideal Shree Mandir Gurukul also came up for consideration.
In a boost to servitor welfare, the Managing Committee approved substantial increases in financial assistance: marriage aid for a servitor’s daughter has been doubled from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh, while support for the Brataghara ceremony has risen from ₹20,000 to ₹50,000.
Responding to a long-pending demand, the committee discussed special darshan privileges for Puri residents. A sub-committee led by the District Collector will examine all aspects and prepare a detailed SOP before any decision is finalised, ensuring that such arrangements do not inconvenience other devotees.
With the English New Year rush and the Pahili Bhoga ritual approaching, an additional SOP will be prepared by the Chief Administrator and committee members to manage the expected surge in footfall.
Overall, the meeting sought to streamline darshan, bolster security, strengthen legal safeguards, enhance devotee convenience, and improve the welfare of servitors—while moving decisively to complete the crucial Ratna Bhandar inventory before Akshay Trutiya.
