Puri: The Ratna Bhandar of Jagannath temple in Puri was reopened today after a long wait of 46 years for an inventory of valuables and the repair of its structure.
The committee set up by the State government for the purpose entered the temple around 12 pm, and after performing rituals, the treasury was reopened, they said.
“On your wish, today, the Ratna Bhandar was opened after 46 years for a greater purpose,” Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said on X.
Among the people present when the treasury was reopened were former Orissa HC judge Biswanath Rath, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee, ASI Superintendent DB Gadanayak and a representative of Puri’s titular king ‘Gajapati Maharaja’, officials said.
Also among them were four servitors, Patjoshi Mohapatra, Bhandar Mekap, Chadhaukarana and Deulikaran, who took care of the rituals, they said.
Though the treasury was reopened, the inventory of valuables will not be carried out immediately.
Before entering into the temple, Dr.Padhee informed media persons about the works to be done inside the Ratna Bhandar today.
Then, the ornaments and other valuables stored inside the outer and inner chambers of the treasury will be shifted to a temporary strong room, he informed.
The temporary strong room has been identified and all required arrangements like light, CCTVs, etc have been installed in the strong room. In a later phase, the inventorisation of the ornaments will be carried out, Dr.Padhee said.
“The inventorisation work can be done only in the inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandar. So, now, our first priority will be safety of the structure of the treasury,” the Chief Administrator said.
After completion of the repair works, the ornaments and other valuables are again brought to the treasury and then, the process for inventory of the valuables will be carried out, he added.
Informing about the lock and keys of the two chambers of treasury, Dr.Padhee said three keys of outer Bhandar are there, of which one is with the Puri king, another with the SJTA chief administrator and third one is with the concerned servitor.
As per decision, after opening the inner chamber of the treasury, it will be locked with seals and the key will be kept in district treasury under the supervision of the Puri collector.
Meanwhile, six strong wooden chests fitted with brass sheets have arrived at the Jagannath temple. The chest will be used for shifting of the ornaments and other valuables stored in the treasury, the official said.
“The temple authority on July 12 had asked us to build 15 such strong chests with specific design. Accordingly, working for 48 hours, we have completed six chests and delivered them today,” said a worker, who built the chests.The chests are 4.5 feet length, 2.5 feet highest and 2.5 feet breadth. Those were made up of ‘Saguan’ wood and brass sheets have been fixed around it, he stated.