Inner Ratna Bhandar opened after breaking locks: SJTA Chief Administrator

In a historic day for countless devotees of Lord Jagannath across the globe, the Ratna Bhandar (treasure trove) of the 12th-century Puri Srimandir was finally opened on Sunday after a long gap of 46 years.

After coming out of Ratna Bhandar, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator, Arabinda Padhee said that all the ornaments of outer Ratna Bhandar have been shifted to the temporary strongroom, and the inner Ratna Bhandar was opened after breaking the locks. He further informed that the contents of the inner Ratna Bhandar are in almirahs and chests. According to Padhee, as shifting of contents of the inner Ratna Bhandar cannot be done partially and time ran out, it was decided that another day would be finalised to do the same.

“We followed the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) prepared for the opening of Ratna Bhandar with the blessings of Lord Jagannath. All the ornaments of outer Ratna Bhandar have been shifted to the temporary strong room at ‘Changada Ghara’ and ‘Phula Ghara’. All the ornaments have been shifted to the new strongroom and it was sealed before the Magistrate and in the presence of all the members of the committee. The process took a long time,” said Padhee.

“Subsequently, the authorized persons went to the inner Ratna Bhandar gate. However, all three locks didn’t open with the keys provided by the Collector from the treasury. As per the SOP, all three locks were broken with the help of ‘Bhandara Mekaps’ in the presence of the Magistrate. All the members of the committee went inside the inner Ratna Bhandar. The valuables are inside the almirahs and chests,” he further said.

“We didn’t have much time and we cannot shift the ornaments partially. It was decided that the ornaments inside the inner Ratna Bhandar will not be shifted to the temporary strongroom today. Considering the upcoming ‘Bahuda Jatra’ and Suna Besha’ of Lord Jagannath, priority will be given to various rituals and the administration will be busy. Hence, we have decided that the ornaments will be shifted to the strong room at ‘Khata Sheja Ghara’ temporarily on another day after the Rath Yatra rituals. Subsequently, ASI authorities will carry out the repair work of Ratna Bhandar. The structural safety of Srimandir is our utmost concern. After the completion of repair work, the valuables will again be shifted to the renovated Ratna Bhandar from the temporary strongroom where the counting and inventory work will be carried out,” he added.

“As per my recollection, there are five almirahs and two chests in the inner Ratna Bhandar. Many other things are also there. It could only be revealed after the shifting of the almirahs,” said Justice Biswanath Rath, the chairman of the high-level committee.