Ratna Bhandar's ornaments shifting process to be completed today; ASI to use high-tech gadgets to check tunnels

Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb on Friday informed that the process of shifting ornaments and valuables from the inner chamber or Bhitara Ratna Bhandar of Puri Jagannath temple has started and it will be completed by this evening.

Puri King, who also accompanied the high-level committee during the opening of the second phase opening of the Ratna Bhandar, said with the Lord’s blessing it is hoped that the entire shifting process would be completed by this evening as preparations for the Niladri Bije of the Holy Trinity will begin tomorrow.

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All the ornaments and valuables of the Lord Jagannath would be shifted to the ‘Khatasheja Room’ inside the Srimandir Complex which has been converted into a ‘temporary strong room or temporary Ratna Bhandar’.

Almirahs, Chests are Intact

Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb informed that the almirahs and chests inside the inner chamber of Ratna Bhandar are intact and the process of moving and shifting has already begun.

“High-security system, special secure doors have been used at the temporary strong room. Today, all the ornaments and valuables will be kept inside, after that, the room will be locked and sealed. As per the Temple Rules, the SJTA chief administrator would deposit the keys in treasury,” said the Puri King.

Repair Work of Ratna Bhandar

Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb today informed that only after the inner and the outer chambers of the Ratna Bhandar are vacant, high-end equipment and scanning devices will be used to check if anything has been left out or not. Only after the administration realises that there is nothing inside, it will be handed over to the ASI for necessary repairs which is highly important.

Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb stated that the repair work of Ratna Bhandar is highly essential as nobody knows when the last repair was undertaken. "ASI took over in 1971; and since then, no repair work has been taken up," he said.

The Puri King further stated that the rituals and darshan by devotees will go simultaneously and the administration will make necessary provisions in this regard.

Inventorisation after Ratna Bhandar is Repaired

While talking to reporters, the Puri King said that only after the repair work is completed by the ASI, inventorisation will begin as per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the high-level committee and the ornaments will again be brought back to the Ratna Bhandar.

Presence of Tunnel inside Ratna Bhandar?

When asked about whether there are some tunnels or secret pathways inside the Ratna Bhandar, Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb said everything will be clear after ASI conducts an inspection using high-sophisticated instrument and laser scanning.