Shri Jagannath Temple
The ‘Ratna Bhandar’ (treasure trove) of the Shri Jagannath Temple was reopened after more than four decades on Sunday, following the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the Odisha government. This decision came after the state government approved the inventorization of valuables, including jewelry, stored there.
The Chief Minister’s Office of Odisha commemorated the occasion on X, expressing deep reverence and optimism for the successful reopening of the Shri Jagannath Temple Ratna Bhandar after 46 years. Special boxes were brought to the temple in preparation for the event.
Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Arabinda Padhee confirmed that the Ratna Bhandar was opened according to set guidelines, with authorized representatives from various ‘sewa’ groups, officials from the ASI, and representatives of Shri Gajapati Maharaj present. The entire process was video recorded for documentation purposes and kept confidential.
Padhee outlined the three steps in the SOPs for the reopening and inventorization: first, the outer Ratna Bhandar would be opened, followed by the inner Ratna Bhandar, and finally, a temporary strong room would be used to store the valuables before inventorying them.
Inspection Committee Chairman Justice Biswanath Rath highlighted that the Ratna Bhandar was scheduled to be opened at 1:28 pm, based on the recommendations of the ‘Purohits’ and ‘mukti mandap’. He acknowledged the challenges due to the unknown condition of the Ratna Bhandar, which was last opened in 1985, but affirmed that the locks would be opened regardless.
Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan noted that the inventory work would involve a representative from the Reserve Bank of India and result in a digital catalogue, including photographs, weights, and other details of the ornaments. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) would carry out repair work in the Ratna Bhandar, which they maintain, along with the 12th-century shrine. The treasury was last opened in 1978.
