Bhubaneswar: In a significant development, the high-level committee headed by Justice Biswanath Rath has proposed the state government to open the Ratna Bhandar (treasury) of Jagannath Temple in Puri on July 14.
This decision was taken in the second meeting of the reconstituted committee, which was formed to supervise the inventorying of valuables, including jewellery stored in Ratna Bhandar under the chairmanship of retired justice Biswanath Rath of Orissa High Court after a gap of 46 years.
Rath informed the media that the state government will be given a proposal for the reopening of the Ratna Bhandar on July 14.
“A proposal in this regard will be submitted to the Odisha government. Whether the key is available or not or whether it functions or not, Ratna Bhandar will be reopened for sure. All we need is the cooperation of devotees, said Justice Rath.
He continued: “Special care will be taken so that devotees will not be refrained from having the darshan of the deities during the opening of Ratna Bhandar.”
The committee’s proposal marks a significant step forward in the long-awaited opening of the treasury, which is believed to contain valuable artefacts and jewels associated with the deities of Jagannath temple.
Notably, Charles Grome, the then Collector of Puri, compiled a comprehensive inventory of the ornaments stored in the Ratna Bhandar in 1805. The list revealed a staggering 1,333 items, comprising 74 distinct types of ornaments.
Additionally, the treasury was found to contain a vast collection of coins, including 128 gold coins, 1,297 silver coins, 106 copper coins, and 24 ancient gold coins. This historical record provides a fascinating glimpse into the rich cultural heritage and treasures housed within the Ratna Bhandar.
