Treasured Legacy: Shifting Valuables at Puri's Jagannath Temple

The Ratna Bhandar of the 12th-century Jagannath temple in Puri was reopened to shift valuables to a temporary strong room. The operation, overseen by a committee including Justice Biswanath Rath and Gajapati Maharaja Divya Singh Deb, involved strict security and traditional protocols. This reopening follows a previous one after 46 years.

The Ratna Bhandar treasures of the 12th-century Jagannath temple in Puri were reopened on Thursday for the second time in a week to facilitate the transfer of valuables to a temporary strong room, according to officials.

The treasury opened at 9:51 am. Following rituals, the supervisory committee, sanctioned by the Odisha government, entered the temple at approximately 9 am to commence the transfer.

Committee chairman and former Orissa High Court judge, Justice Biswanath Rath, expressed hopes for a smooth operation, having sought blessings from Lord Jagannath. He implored Puri's Titular king, Gajapati Maharaja Divya Singh Deb, to supervise the shift of valuables. This process marks the second recent entry, the last being July 14 after a 46-year hiatus. The Puri Collector confirmed that only authorized personnel in traditional attire were permitted entry, ensuring the process adhered to the standard operating procedures.

(With inputs from agencies.)