Bhubaneswar: The shifting of ornaments and precious stones stored in the Ratna Bhandar (treasure trove) of the Jagannath Temple in Puri to a temporary strong room within the temple premises was successfully completed on Thursday.
The operation was carried out by an 11-member team led by retired justice Biswanath Rath, chairman of the inspection committee formed to oversee the opening of the Ratna Bhandar. The inner chamber of the treasure trove was opened at an auspicious time, determined according to the traditional Hindu almanac.
“We opened the locks at the fixed auspicious time,” said Rath. “With the help of the 11-member team and other servitors, we shifted the treasures of the deities in a more than seven-hour-long operation. The valuables were moved from the inner Ratna Bhandar to the temporary strong room following the standard operating procedure (SOP). After the transfer, both the old inner chamber and the temporary strong room were sealed, and all keys were handed over to the Puri collector.”
Rath detailed that the valuables were stored in three wooden and one steel almirahs, and two wooden and one iron chests inside the inner chamber. These items were relocated to appropriate new almirahs in the temporary strong rooms. However, he declined to provide specifics about the ornaments.
Addressing various myths surrounding the Ratna Bhandar, Rath dispelled rumors of secret tunnels, chambers, or the presence of snakes inside the treasure trove. “We never believed in such things,” he said. “I appeal to the public, YouTubers, and media to refrain from spreading such unfounded news.”
The Ratna Bhandar was opened on Sunday after a 46-year hiatus, following much debate and discussion. The opening was necessary for the inventorisation of the deities’ ornaments and for repairing the treasure trove of the 12th-century shrine.