Open Ratna Bhandar & all Srimandir doors: Padma Shri Sudarsan Pattnaik

Eminent sand artist Padma Shri Sudarsan Pattnaik has demanded the opening of the Ratna Bhandar (Treasure-trove) of Srimandir.

Pattnaik, who is also a member of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC), wrote a letter in this connection to the Puri King Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb on Friday.

He requested the King’s intervention on these issues which he described as of high importance for the safety and security of the temple as well as to address the discontentment among devotees.

“Managing committee should request the government to open the Ratna Bhandar of the Shree Jagannath Temple as the ASI has given a requisition on (Aug 8, 2022) for inspection of the inner Ratna Bhandar. Why this matter has not been brought to the notice of the Managing Committee through agenda for discussion, as it is a matter of safety and security. It is a matter of concern among the devotees of Mahaprabhu too,” Pattnaik wrote.

Moving on to the huge rush that the Singhadwara sees almost every day, Pattnaik wrote, “We all are aware that there is huge discontentment among the devotees, particularly the locals related to the closure of three doors. During the covid-19 pandemic, three doors were closed for the devotees, But till date why all the doors have not been opened for the devotees. Therefore I am requesting to open other doors of Shree Jagannath temple for devotees as soon as possible.”

“If there is any reason to not open other doors, we should inform the devotees in a proper manner. At least one door should be opened immediately for local people,” he requested.