Bhubaneswar: The counting of valuables at Puri Jagannath Temple’s Ratna Bhandar (treasury) is expected to commence in January 2026, officials said on Wednesday.
The move comes after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) completed repair work on the temple’s inner (Bhitar Bhandar) and outer (Bahara Bhandar) chambers.
Retired Orissa High Court judge Biswanath Rath, chairman of the 16-member committee overseeing the inventory, said a meeting with the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee has been scheduled at 4:30 pm on December 27, 2025.
“In this meeting, the committee will finalise the standard operating procedures and fix the dates for counting the Trinity’s ornaments and jewels,” he said.
Judge Rath added that all valuables had been temporarily shifted to a strongroom inside the temple while ASI completed the repair work.
“Now that repairs are finished, the treasures have been restored to their original chambers. The counting will take place over two days to ensure accuracy and proper handling,” he said.
The committee will submit the finalised dates to the Managing Committee, which will then send resolutions to the Odisha government for approval. Rath also noted that devotees’ darshan may be affected during the inventory and requested their cooperation.
“I think the counting of valuables should start from January 2026,” said retired Orissa High Court judge Biswanath Rath.
