- By Imran Zafar
- Sat, 13 Jul 2024 05:46 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Odisha government will unlock the 'Ratna Bhandar', the treasury of the Lord Jagannath temple in Puri, on Sunday after 46 years. The treasury, last opened in 1978, will also undergo repairs by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which maintains the 12th-century shrine.
A 16-member high-level committee, chaired by retired Justice Biswanath Rath of Orissa High Court, recommended the reopening, with prayers to Lord Lokanath preceding the event. The decision has been taken to check on the inventory of the temple’s ornaments and valuables, temple officials said.
Puri District Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain confirmed the reopening on Sunday, stating adherence to the standard operating procedures (SOP) issued by the government in line with the Shree Jagannath Temple Act.
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Special committee member Soumendra Muduli mentioned that authorised personnel and a snake catcher would first enter the treasury as a precautionary measure.
Meanwhile, Chief servitor Haladhar Dasmohapatra emphasised the necessity for repairs and dismissed rumours of a guardian snake inside, urging people to approach with pure intentions. Dasmohapatra advised against weighing the valuables, suggesting a count and resealing instead.
The Ratna Bhandar consists of three parts: the outer chamber with ornaments used in rituals, the inner chamber housing unused jewellery and other precious items donated over centuries.
In 2018, then law minister Pratap Jena informed the state Assembly that the 'Ratna Bhandar' contained over 12,831 bhari (one bhari equals 11.66 grams) of gold ornaments with precious stones and 22,153 bhari of silver utensils and other items.
(With Agency Inputs)
