Jagannath Temple's Ratna Bhandar Reopened After 46 Years

The Ratna Bhandar, the treasury of the 12th-century Jagannath temple in Puri,, was reopened after 46 years on Sunday afternoon.

An 11-member committee, established by the Odisha government, entered the temple to access its revered treasury.

Photo Credit: PTI

This committee included former Orissa High Court judge Biswanath Rath, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief administrator Arabinda Padhee, ASI Superintendent DB Gadanayak, and a representative of Puri's titular king 'Gajapati Maharaja'.

Four temple servitors—Patjoshi Mohapatra, Bhandar Mekap, Chadhaukarana, and Deulikaran—were also part of the group that entered the Ratna Bhandar.

The ritual of 'Agnya', which involves seeking approval for reopening the treasury, was completed in the morning.

The Ratna Bhandar houses precious ornaments of the sibling deities—Jagannath, Subhadra, and Balabhadra—donated by devotees and erstwhile kings over centuries.

The committee devised three Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the reopening process.

"Three SOPs have been made. One is related to the reopening of the Ratna Bhandar, the second for the management of the temporary Ratna Bhandar, and the third one is related to inventory of the valuables," PTI quoted an official as saying.

The inventory work will commence only after receiving government approval for engaging valuers, goldsmiths, and other experts.

The Ratna Bhandar is divided into two sections: an outer chamber (Bahara Bhandar) and an inner chamber (Bhitara Bhandar).

While the outer chamber is occasionally opened for rituals like Suna Besha during Rath Yatra, a complete inventory had not been conducted since 1978. Two teams of snake catchers were also present at the temple as it was suspected that snakes might be inside the treasury.

The government plans to create a digital catalogue detailing each valuable item in the Ratna Bhandar. This catalogue will include specifics such as weight and make.

"The inventory work will not start today. It will be done after getting approval from the government on engagement of valuers, goldsmiths and other experts," added an official.