Puri: Opening of the ‘Bhitara Ratna Bhandar’ (inner treasury) of the Shree Jagannath Temple of Puri for inspection by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) can be only taken on the basis of the decision of the temple’s managing committee, informed Ajay Kumar Jena, Development Administrator, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).
“Even if there is a letter for inspection it will be presented before the managing committee. Again the committee’s decision on this will be intimated to the Law Department and finally, a decision will be taken,” clarified Jena to reporters.
The same process that was adopted in 2018 will apply this time too, he added.
“Everything depends on the managing committee’s decision,” he asserted.
On August 8, ASI had written a letter to the Chief Administrator of SJTA and Law Department for inspection of the Bhitara Ratna Bhandar of the Shree Jagannath Temple.
Earlier on April 4, 2018, an attempt had been made to open the Ratna Bhandar. However, as the treasury keys were missing, the ASI team carried out an inspection from outside. Last time, the Ratna Bhandar was opened in 1978 and 1982.
