After 46 years of closure, the Odisha government is poised to reopen the 'Ratna Bhandar', the revered treasury of the Puri Jagannath temple, on Sunday.
This historic event will facilitate an inventory of the temple's precious ornaments and valuables, last accessed in 1978.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), responsible for maintaining the 12th-century shrine, will seize the opportunity to conduct essential repairs, officials confirmed.
"We are fully prepared for the reopening of the Ratna Bhandar on Sunday. Strict adherence to government-mandated standard operating procedures under the Shree Jagannath Temple Act will be ensured," stated Puri District Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain.
A 16-member high-level committee, chaired by retired Justice Biswanath Rath of Orissa High Court, recommended the reopening for July 14.
The process will commence with traditional prayers to Lord Lokanath within the temple premises, outlined Soumendra Muduli, a committee member.
Ahead of the event, authorised personnel and a snake catcher will cautiously enter the treasury as a precautionary measure, Muduli added.
Haladhar Dasmohapatra, the chief servitor of Lord Balabhadra, pointed out the necessity of the treasury's reopening for repairs, dismissing rumours about a guardian snake within.
He urged devotees to approach with reverence and clarified that the valuables would be counted and resealed rather than weighed.
The Ratna Bhandar comprises three sections: an outer chamber housing ritual ornaments, an inner chamber safeguarding non-utilised jewellery and centuries-old donations from royalty and devotees.
In 2018, former law minister Pratap Jena disclosed to the state Assembly that the Ratna Bhandar contained over 12,831 bhari of gold ornaments studded with precious stones, alongside 22,153 bhari of silver utensils and other donated items.
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