Puri: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will start the repair and conservation work on the Ratna Bhandar of the Sri Jagannath Temple from December 17.
This decision was taken during the meeting of the Chhatisha Nijog, the apex body of the temple servitor association, held in Puri today.
Sri Jagannath Temple’s Chief Administrator, Dr Arabinda Padhee said that preliminary work will commence on December 17.
“We have advised the ASI to halt work on festival days, December 31 (New Year), weekends, and other occasions when a large number of devotees are expected to visit the temple to offer prayers, as well as during important rituals of the deities,” Dr Padhee said.
The repair work will take place daily from 12:30 PM to 6:00 PM. During this time, devotees will be allowed to have darshan from the Bahar katha. Only authorized officials and servitors will be permitted to remain inside the Ratna Bhandar.
As per the standard operating procedure (SOP) prepared by the State Government, a committee headed by the temple’s traditional security chief and another designated individual will be present during the repair work, he said.
The ASI has been directed to complete the repairs within three months. Once the repair and conservation of the Ratna Bhandar are complete, all jewelry currently stored in temporary strong rooms will be transferred back to the Ratna Bhandar.
A fresh inventory will then be conducted and compared with the previous inventory created in 1978, Dr Padhee said.
ASI Superintendent D. B. Gadnaik told the media that the damaged portions had been identified using laser scanning and that the ASI would strive to complete the work as soon as possible.