Shree Jagannath Temple Ratna Bhandar to Reopen for Relocation of Treasures

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) will reopen the inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandar to shift ornaments to a temporary storeroom. This follows a 46-year gap during which an inventory and repairs were conducted. The transfer will be managed by officials and will be thoroughly documented.

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) is set to reopen the inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandar this Thursday to transfer its priceless ornaments to a temporary storeroom within the 12th-century shrine complex, following an exhaustive inventory and repairs after a 46-year hiatus.

Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee, Justice Biswanth Rath, Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain, and other officials made this decision during a meeting held on Tuesday. The process will take place between 9:51 am and 12:15 pm on July 18.

© The entire transfer process, including an assessment of the inner chamber's structural stability by ASI members, will be recorded on video, Justice Rath informed reporters. Detailed logistical arrangements have been made, including CCTV surveillance and fire safety measures at the temporary facility.

The SJTA has urged devotees to comply with restrictions imposed for the day. Earlier on July 14, the inner chamber was reopened after nearly five decades for a preliminary inspection. All valuables from the outer chamber were successfully moved to a temporary storage area within the temple complex.

Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan outlined that the procedure follows a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and includes three phases, the first of which, handling the outer chamber, is already complete. The inner chamber will now be opened under tight supervision, and ASI will then proceed with repairs.

(With inputs from agencies.)