While the reopening of Srimandir Ratna Bhandar is hanging fire, doubts are cropping up over the state of the ornaments and precious stones of the deities inside the treasure trove.
However, Puri King Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deba during an exclusive interview with OTV cleared the suspense, saying there is no misplacement of ornaments kept in the inner Ratna Bhandar.
“The key of the inner Ratna Bhandar is with the District Collector. The key is brought only when the state government directs for the same. So, as the inner Ratna Bhandar has not been opened, whatever kept there is intact,” said the Puri King.
“It was around 1927 or something, my grandfather was coroneted after the death of Mukunda Deba and an inventory was carried out then. Thereafter, the ornaments and jewels were kept in the inner Ratna Bhandar. I think they are in the same condition as they were then. However, no step for modernization or safety has been taken,” he said.
“Now, the Justice Pasayat Committee will find out if everything is safe and in what condition they are. While going through the Record of Rights, I found mention of precious stones. But there is no detail about their names like Ruby, Emerald or Diamond. There is also no mention of their carats and quality,” he added.
“So, I think, proper inventory with photographs and proper detailing should be done so that we can know what things are actually in it,” he further added.