Bhubaneswar: The Ratna Bhandar (treasure trove) of Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri will be opened on July 8 for inspection.
Speaking to media, ASI superintendent DB Garnayak said that treasure trove of 12th century shrine will be opened in the presence of the members of the core committee and Technical Committee of the ASI. Inspection will be carried out on July 8 and repair works will be done accordingly.
“As per the inspection carried out in 2018, cracks were detected and some stones and iron rods were missing. The condition was not good. Further, the laser scanning conducted in November 2023 also showed cracks in the outer wall and joints. Rain water may be seeping inside the Ratna Bhandar through the cracks.,” said Garnayak.
Conservation for the well-being of the temple and Ratna Bhandar is required at the earliest. It will be done during the opening of the treasure.
Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Vir Vikram Yadav said, “The state government has constituted a committee and based on the recommendation, necessary steps will be taken accordingly.
Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Vir Vikram Yadav said that steps will be taken for the reopening of Ratna Bhandar on recommendations of a special committee constituted by the government.
Earlier, the State government had also decided to open the Ratna Bhandar during Ratha Yatra 2024.
Notably, the Ratna Bhandar of the Jagannath temple has two chambers.
The inner chamber contains precious ornaments used on rare occasions, while those ornaments needed during daily rituals and particular festivals are kept in the outer chamber of the Temple’s treasury.
The inner chamber was last opened around 39 years ago, on July 14, 1985.
The inventory of precious ornaments kept in the treasury of Jagannath Temple was conducted in 1978 for the last time.
