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“The ASI will start by assessing and repairing the outer chamber of the Ratna Bhandar, followed by the inner chamber,” Harichandan stated.
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha’s Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan announced on Sunday that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will soon commence conservation work on the Ratna Bhandar (treasury) of the Jagannath Temple in Puri. This initiative aims to address structural issues in the 12th-century shrine’s treasury, which houses valuable ornaments and artefacts.
“The ASI will start by assessing and repairing the outer chamber of the Ratna Bhandar, followed by the inner chamber,” Harichandan stated. He assured that “the rituals of Lord Jagannath and his sibling deities will not be disrupted during this repair work.” A minor correction in the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the repair is underway, and the final date for commencing the work will be decided soon.
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The Odisha government is also contemplating laser scanning of the inner chamber to detect any hidden compartments, Harichandan revealed. This step comes in the wake of controversy surrounding the treasury’s keys.
The minister criticised the previous BJD government, alleging it created “unnecessary drama” regarding the missing keys to avoid opening the treasury. “An investigation will be conducted, and those who played with the sentiments of Odia people and Jagannath traditions will be held accountable,” he said.
In July, a 12-member high-level committee, led by former Orissa High Court judge Justice Biswanath Rath, opened the outer and inner chambers of the Ratna Bhandar. The valuables were moved to temporary strong rooms on July 14 and 18 respectively, to facilitate the repair work. Justice Rath has dismissed rumours of secret compartments or dangerous creatures within the treasury.
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The ASI’s last inspection in 2018, directed by the High Court, uncovered structural weaknesses in the outer chamber. Although detailed construction data is lacking, the outer chamber appears to have been built in the 13th-14th century. The chamber’s plaster has deteriorated in places, evidenced by a hollow sound when tapped.
The Ratna Bhandar comprises two chambers: the outer chamber for daily ornaments of deities Jagannath, Subhadra, and Balabhadra, and the inner chamber for storing precious items like gold, gems, and rare diamonds not used in daily rituals.
Fulfilling a BJP election promise, the Odisha government has initiated the process of listing and repairing the treasures within the Ratna Bhandar. Following the completion of repairs, the valuables will be returned to their original locations. The inventory will be overseen by the committee headed by Justice Rath.
