The ‘Ratna Bhandar’ (Treasure Trove) of the Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri opened at 1:28 pm on Sunday, following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the Odisha government, as stated by Inspection Committee Chairman Justice Biswanath Rath, ANI reported.
The Odisha government approved the opening of the Ratna Bhandar after more than four decades to carry out the inventorization of valuables, including pieces of jewelry stored there. Justice Rath noted that the decision was made in a meeting with suggestions from the ‘Purohits’ and the ‘mukti mandap’, determining the right time for the opening to be 1:28 pm. The SOPs will be implemented in three parts, as issued by the government: opening the Ratna Bhandar, taking custody of ornaments and valuables section-wise to pre-allocated rooms inside the Garbha Griha.
The process is expected to be challenging since the position of the Ratna Bhandar has been unknown since it was last opened in 1985. Justice Rath mentioned that the process will involve two sets of video recordings and two certifications, emphasizing the challenge due to the long closure period.
Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan commented on the reopening, noting that the final approval was given by the Chief Minister. He highlighted that all SOPs have been laid down and the Chief Administrator of the temple is responsible for ensuring the smooth execution of the process. The inventory work will be conducted in the presence of a representative from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and will include the creation of a digital catalog after the counting is done. This catalog will feature photographs, weights, and details of the quality of the items.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is also involved in the maintenance of the 12th-century shrine. The Treasury was last opened in 1978.