Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has formed a fresh high-level committee to supervise the reopening of the historic ‘Ratna Bhandar’ at Puri’s Jagannath temple. The committee’s mission: repair and inventory the temple’s invaluable treasures. The Ratna Bhandar, which has remained sealed since 1978, is now at the center of attention as promises are made to unlock its secrets.
Key Details:
- Committee Formation: The high-level committee, constituted by the Odisha government, will convene on July 9 to deliberate on the reopening date for the Ratna Bhandar. This committee has a crucial role in overseeing the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee’s efforts to assess and safeguard the temple’s precious jewels and other valuables.
- Duplicate Key Discovery: Justice Biswanath Rath, the committee’s chairman, revealed that a ‘duplicate’ key for the Ratna Bhandar exists in the Puri government treasury. This revelation came after the committee’s inaugural meeting in Puri on Saturday. The inner chamber of the treasury, shrouded in mystery for decades, awaits exploration.
- Lock-Breaking SOP: Given the long dormancy of the Ratna Bhandar, concerns arise about the lock’s functionality. To address this, the committee plans to prepare a standard operating procedure (SOP) with government approval. This SOP will guide the process of breaking the lock if necessary, ensuring safe access to the inner chamber.
- Jewellery Removal for Repairs: The committee recognizes that repair work cannot commence without first relocating the jewelry and other valuables stored within the treasury. During the meeting, it was decided to consult the temple management committee regarding the proper storage of these precious items during the repair process.
Anticipated Outcome:
Justice Rath expressed hope that repair work would begin and the ornaments would be safely shifted during the annual Rath Yatra before Lord Jagannath and his siblings returned to the temple. The reopening of the Ratna Bhandar promises to unveil a rich tapestry of history and spirituality, drawing devotees and scholars alike.
Stay tuned for further updates as the high-level committee deliberates on this significant milestone for the Jagannath temple.
