Bhubaneswar: Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb inspected the ongoing repair work of the Ratna Bhandar of the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, along with the Ratna Bhandar technical team, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials, and temple managing committee members. The inspection took place while the deities are currently at their birthplace, Gundicha Temple.
The Puri king expressed satisfaction over the timely repair work of Lord Jagannath’s treasure trove and hoped that the inventory would be carried out after the Niladri Bije rituals.
“We must pray to Lord Jagannath that his Ratna Bhandar repair may complete before Niladri Bije. Ratna Bhandar is completely safe and looking beautiful,” Gajapati Maharaj said. The repair work is being undertaken in the style of the Srimandir design using Khondolite stone, with around 600 such stones replaced and several beams changed.
Gajapati Maharaja stated that the historical work would be completed with the blessings of Lord Jagannath, after which the Ratna Bhandar inventory work would commence. Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief administrator Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee informed the media about the Ratna Bhandar repair, saying that the conservation and repair work would be completed soon.
According to Padhee, the repair work of the inner Ratna Bhandar is in its final stage, while some stone replacement of the outer Ratna Bhandar is pending and expected to be completed within two to three days. Nine steel beams have been installed in the inner Ratna Bhandar, and three box beams have been installed in the outer wall. The old gate of the outer Ratna Bhandar has been replaced with a new stainless steel gate, and the outer door will be made of the finest Burma teak wood, silver-coated after installation.
The technical committee members and ASI officials briefed Gajapati Maharaj, who is the permanent chairman of the Srimandir managing committee, about the repair and conservation of Ratna Bhandar. The King expressed satisfaction. Meanwhile, the required repair of the sanctum sanctorum is also being carried out, with wooden beams being replaced with permanent stainless steel ones.
