After 46 years, the revered “Ratna Bhandar” of the 12th-century Jagannath temple in Puri was unlocked by the Odisha government on Sunday, the chief minister’s office said. At 1:28 pm, on the auspicious day of ‘Suba Bela’ (good time), the treasury, which contained priceless ornaments and other riches, was unlocked, initiating a comprehensive inventory process.
Former Orissa High Court Judge Biswanath Rath, Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), ASI Superintendent DB Gadanayak, and a spokesman for Puri’s titular leader, Gajapati Maharaja, are among the eleven individuals that entered the temple to reopen its hallowed treasure.
A high-level commission headed by Justice Biswanath Rath, a former judge of the Orissa High Court, gave the process a green light. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) were created to direct the inventory after gaining regulatory permission. The activity is being overseen by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), which is headed by its top administrator.
“There are three SOPs available: the first is about the Ratna Bhandar’s reopening, the second is about managing the interim Ratna Bhandar, and the third is about taking an inventory of the treasures,” according to Arabinda Padhee, chief administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA). “Work on the inventory will not begin today. The government’s approval for the involvement of valuers, goldsmiths, and other professionals must be acquired before it can proceed,” he continued.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has assigned representatives to assist the inventory team in order to ensure transparency.
“We will reopen the ‘Ratna Bhandar’ tomorrow for inventory, ending the lengthy wait of Jagannath followers worldwide. We will weigh the jewels and evaluate the nature of the jewelry, their character, and quality,” Odisha law minister Prithviraj Harichandan told reporters on Saturday. According to Harichandan, the ornaments will be digitally photographed. A digital library or record containing the decorations will be produced and utilized for future reference.
“During its 24-year duration, the previous BJD government did not open the Ratna Bhandar. Within a month of coming to power, the BJP government decided to open it, and we have given it to Lord Jagannath to ensure a smooth procedure,” Harichandan stated.
Join our whatsapp group for Latest updates