July 13th 2024.
The treasured Ratna Bhandar, containing valuable ornaments and items, has been sealed for 46 years. However, the Odisha government has announced that it will be opening the doors of the Jagannath temple in Puri on Sunday for an inventory of its contents. This will be the first time since 1978 that the treasury will be unlocked.
According to Minister Harichandan, the decision was made after much consideration and planning. He stated that the temple managing committee, along with a high-level committee led by former Orissa High Court judge Justice Biswanath Rath, has finalized the necessary procedures for the inventory. After receiving approval from the government, the managing committee will begin the process on Sunday.
The state government has provided a clear outline of the standard operating procedures (SOP) to the managing committee, who will ensure that they are followed accurately. The chief administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration has been assigned the responsibility of overseeing the process. In order to maintain transparency, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will also be involved and present during the inventory.
Harichandan also mentioned that digital documentation and photography will be done to create a reference document for future use. An expert team, consisting of members from the ASI, servitors, managing committee, and high-power committee, has been formed to visit the Ratna Bhandar. Separate teams have also been assigned for each task to ensure its smooth execution.
In terms of opening the treasury, the minister explained that an attempt will first be made with a duplicate key available with the Puri district administration. If that does not work, the lock will be broken in the presence of a magistrate. He assured that the rituals and public darshan will not be affected during this process.
Justice Rath, who will also be present during the inventory, stated that a medical team, snake helpline members, and a lock-breaking group will be kept on standby. The previous government did not open the Ratna Bhandar during its 24-year rule, but the current BJP government has decided to do so within a month of coming into power. Harichandan expressed hope for a smooth and efficient completion of the process, leaving it in the hands of Lord Jagannath.
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