Puri: Dr.Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Chief Administrator Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration (SJTA) said that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) today conducted a preliminary inspection and technical inspection of the Srimandir Ratna Bhandar.
The inspection has been conducted as per the Guidelines (SOP) approved by the State Government. As per the earlier schedule, the joint team entered the Ratna Bhandar at around 2 PM. The inspection went on for about 3 hours, Dr.Padhee informed the Media after completion of the inspection.
SJTA Chief Administrator Dr.Padhee informed that the technical inspection was carried out by the ASI today. The ASI has conducted a preliminary inspection and a scientific survey. A 17-member technical team of ASI has carried out the survey using the equipment brought in. Physical inspection of the outer and inner gemstones has been performed as address.
However, the ASI’s suggestion was to conduct a radar survey to know more about Ratna Bhadar. Therefore, ASI has been requested to conduct this radar survey at the earliest and prepare the report. The ASI will submit the report after the survey is over. The report will be presented to the State Government, Dr.Padhee said.
The Chief Administrator informed that after necessary technical deliberations, the ASI will carry out the conservation work as per the SOPs of the state government.
SOP has been prepared for today’s survey. The process was monitored by the Chief Administrator himself when the doors were opend at 2:50 PM. Arrangements were made for the devotees to purchase Mahaprasad from Ananda Bazar while Public Darshan was closed from 1:00 PM till the inspection work was over.
The Chief Administrator thanked the Chairman of the High Level Committee Justice BB Rath, Additional Director General of ASI and all the members of the technical team, The Temple Administrator, The District Administration, the Police, all the concerned servants and the media for their cooperation in today’s survey.
As per the SOP approved by the State Government, all the ornaments from the Outer and Inner Ratna Bhandar have already been shifted to a temporary strong room and the empty almirahs and arks have already been shifted. The Temple Administration then requested the ASI to take up conservation and repair work. However, it was requested to conduct a survey using latest technology before repairs were taken up. The ASI was requested to ensure that it does not have any adverse impact on the Shrine.
Accordingly, after the proposal of the ASI came, it was scheduled for the survey on 18 September. However, the ASI was given conditional permission to take various instruments to carry out scientific surveys inside the Ratna Bhandar. First, the images or videos taken in connection with the survey will only be used for scientific research, it will not be circulated on any Media or Social Media. Secondly, it was mentioned in the condition that the culture and tradition of the Shree Jagannatha Temple should also be respected while taking or using scientific equipment.
Chief Administrator, Dr. Padhee has requested to complete the conservation and repair work of ASI Ratna Bhandar at the earliest after a thorough and technical investigation.