Inventory of Ratna Bhandar Jewels to Begin Soon After CM’s High-Level Review

Bhubaneswar: The long-awaited counting and inventory of gold ornaments and precious jewels housed in the Ratna Bhandar of the Shree Jagannath Temple will begin shortly, following a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at Lok Seva Bhawan on Tuesday.

Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, presented a detailed roadmap for the inventory process before the Chief Minister. Officials informed that all preparatory formalities have been completed and the temple administration is fully equipped to carry out the sensitive exercise.

The meeting noted that the comprehensive repair and conservation work of both the outer and inner chambers of the Ratna Bhandar has been successfully completed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The restoration work, carried out over 95 days involving 333 hours of focused operations, ensured structural safety and conservation of the centuries-old treasury, paving the way for the inventory process.

A detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been prepared by the Temple Managing Committee and will be implemented following formal government approval. The entire inventory exercise will be conducted under strict security arrangements and with complete transparency, officials said.

Significantly, the last inventory of the Ratna Bhandar was conducted in 1978. During the upcoming exercise, all ornaments and valuables will be matched with the 1978 records to prepare a final and updated list. Authorities will also create a comprehensive digital catalogue, while the entire process will be documented through photography to ensure accurate record-keeping and accountability.

The meeting also reviewed preparations for the upcoming Rath Yatra. Considering the large requirement of phasi wood and sandalwood for chariot construction and temple rituals, the Chief Minister directed officials to submit proposals for plantation of these species under forest development programmes to ensure sustainable availability in the future.

Among those present at the meeting were Works and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Chief Minister’s Advisor Prakash Mishra, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Saswata Mishra, Principal Secretary of the Law Department Dr Pabitra Mohan Samal, and Puri District Collector Divyajyoti Parida.