After 46 Years Puri’s Jagannath Temple Treasure Vault UnSealed

The Ratna Bhandar of Puri's Jagannath Temple was opened after 46 years on July 14, 2024. Officials followed strict procedures to inventory the treasures, with plans to create a digital catalogue. The event marks a significant historical moment for the temple.

In what can be described as another landmark event, the ‘Ratna Bhandar’ of Shri Jagannath temple located in Puri of Odisha was opened on Sunday after over 40 years. The event that happened at around 1:28 PM adhering to the guidelines mentioned in the SOPs released by the Odisha government is very special in the existence of the temple.

Ratna Bhandar was last opened in 1978 to conduct its opening a committee headed by Justice Biswanath Rath was formed. SJTA Chief Arabinda Padhee explained three phases of the process, namely, opening and inventory of valuables.

Taking it forward, Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan stated to the media that the inventory work would be done in the presence of a representative of the Reserve Bank of India. These ornaments will be photographed and their weights and quality assessments will be recorded to create a catalogue.

There were video recordings made throughout the entire process for documentation purposes and the authorities ensured that the process was discreet. Specially made boxes for the occasion were delivered to the temple.

The opening of the Ratna Bhandar also poses different problems since nobody knows the condition that is inside it, especially after its last opening. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which is the body mandated with the responsibility of overseeing the preservation of the 12th-century shrine, will embark on repair work.

This event has received a lot of attention, even the office of the Chief Minister released a post on the social media platforms to celebrate the event. The reopening is also associated with joy and celebration for the devotees and it also gives historians a chance to witness the glories and splendors of the temple.

Also Read: Ram temple and infrastructure face a number of issues in Ayodhya due to heavy rainfall

As the inventories proceed, the world waits anxiously to find out what has been hidden in this secret closed gallery for many years, which is in fact centuries old.