July 14th 2024.
After 46 long years, the Ratna Bhandar, the sacred treasury of the 12th-century Jagannath temple in Puri, was finally opened on Sunday. The reason behind this momentous occasion was to take stock of the valuable items inside and to repair any damages to the structure, according to officials.
The temple committee, appointed by the state government for this purpose, entered the temple premises at around noon. After performing the necessary rituals, the treasury was officially opened. The Chief Minister's Office also released a statement, saying that the wish of Lord Jagannath and the pride and identity of the Odia community, known as 'Odia Asmita', had come together to take this step forward.
The statement further mentioned that the four gates of the Jagannath temple had been opened previously, and now, on the divine wish of the Lord, the Ratna Bhandar was also being opened after 46 years for a greater purpose. This post was shared at 1:28pm, which was the auspicious moment decided for the reopening of the treasury.
Notable personalities present at the time of the opening included former Orissa HC judge Biswanath Rath, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration chief administrator Arabinda Padhee, ASI Superintendent DB Gadanayak, and a representative of Puri's titular king, 'Gajapati Maharaja'. Along with them, four servitors, Patjoshi Mohapatra, Bhandar Mekap, Chadhaukarana, and Deulikaran, were also present to perform the rituals.
Although the treasury was opened, the inventory of its valuable items will not be conducted immediately, as per an official. This monumental event marks a significant step towards preserving and honoring the rich cultural heritage of Puri and its temple.
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