Bhubaneswar: Ratna Bhandar of Puri Srimandir will take place between 1 pm and 1.30, informed Justice Biswanath Rath, the chairman of the high-level committee set up to supervise the inventorisation of ornaments and other valuables stored in Ratna Bhandar.
“The Ratna Bhandar is scheduled to be opened today between 1 pm and 1.30 pm, marking a significant milestone in the temple’s history. The opening ceremony will be attended by a dignified gathering of officials and servitors”, said Justice Rath.
Meanwhile, a crucial meeting of the high-level committee is scheduled for 10 am today, ahead of the opening of Ratna Bhandar.
The meeting will focus on a detailed discussion of the standard operating procedure (SOP) and other key aspects, paving the way for the inspection and opening of Ratna Bhandar.
“Today marks a significant milestone for us. The meeting scheduled for 10 am will bring clarity to the next steps. Our primary focus is evaluating the condition of Ratna Bhandar and addressing its urgent repair needs,” remarks Sudarsan Pattnaik, a committee member.
Rajiv Sahu, another committee member, adds, “The Odisha government has given its nod to the standard operating procedure (SOP). Today, we will present the proposed modifications to the committee. The meeting will also cover finalizing the finer details and other essential aspects. Once that’s done, we’ll initiate the process of opening Ratna Bhandar.
The opening ceremony will be attended by various officials, including members of the managing committee, two representatives from our committee, an ASI member, the district Collector, and servitors responsible for the Ratna Bhandar, such as the ‘Bhandar Mekap’ and ‘Tadau Karan’. Additionally, a medical team and snake helpline members will be on standby outside the treasure trove, ready to assist if needed. However, they will not enter the Ratna Bhandar unless necessary.
It is pertinent to note that to ensure transparency in the inventory of ornaments, assistance from the Reserve Bank of India has been sought. RBI representatives will be present to cooperate with the managing committee team. The Chief Administrator of the SJTA has been tasked with overseeing the process smoothly, said sources.
