The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is set to begin repair work on the ‘Ratna Bhandar’ (treasury) of the Jagannath temple in Odisha’s Puri from December 16, as confirmed by an official.
ASI superintendent D B Garnaik stated on Sunday that the ASI had sought approval from the Niti sub-committee of the temple for the proposed repairs. “After getting the time slot, we will start the work, most probably from December 16,” Garnaik said.
Earlier, the ASI had conducted a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and GPS survey of the 12th-century shrine’s Ratna Bhandar with the help of the Hyderabad-based National Geophysical Research Institute. The institute submitted its findings to the ASI last month.
The repair work will be carried out according to the survey report and with the approval of the temple management, Garnaik added.
Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain confirmed that the issue of repairing the Ratna Bhandar will be discussed at the ‘Chhatisa Nijoga’, the confederation of servitors of the Jagannath temple, scheduled for December 10.
State Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan informed the media that the Odisha government plans to complete the inventory of jewellery and ornaments stored in two temporary treasuries inside the shrine by the end of January.
“We have asked the ASI to complete the repair work soon. After that, we will again restore the ornaments in the Ratna Bhandar from temporary treasuries, and then the inventory work will be carried out,” Harichandan said.
The Ratna Bhandar was reopened in July this year after 46 years for an inventory of valuables and repairs to its structure.
Follow us
