Srimandir Ratna Bhandar inspection from tomorrow; ASI to find out existence of tunnel or secret chambers

With the ASI going to inspect the Ratna Bhandar of Srimandir employing available modern technology tomorrow, the mystery surrounding the existence of tunnel or secret chambers within the Ratna Bhandar is believed to be solved for good. 

Following the permission given by the state government, a team of experts from CSIR-NGRI under the supervision of an additional DG of ASI will conduct the preliminary inspection on Wednesday. During the inspection, the team will also try to find out if there is any secret chamber or tunnel within the Ratna Bhandar. During the inspection, Srimandir chief administrator, chairman of Ratna Bhandar Inspection Committee Justice Biswanath Rath and his team members will also be present.  

“Their additional DG-level officers are coming. They will carry out the preliminary inspection for three days starting September 18. Once the inspection is over, the ASI will prepare a list on how and where repair work will be carried out. In between, the GPR survey to find out if there is something below the earth or any void on walls,” said Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan. 

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That the inspection work shouldn’t affect the rituals, a special timetable has been chalked out. As per the timetable, on Wednesday, the public darshan of the deities will be suspended from 1 PM till the completion of the inspection. Those who want to buy Mahaprasad can go to Ananda Bazar through the Lion’s Gate and exit through the North Gate.

“The public darshan will be suspended from 2 PM to 6 PM. However, devotees can go to Ananda Bazar,” said Puri district Collector, Siddharth Shankar Swain. 

Senior servitor Binayak Das Mohapatra welcomed the move. 

“The inspection will continue for three days and servitors and devotees will fully cooperate,” said Das Mohapatra. 

Notably, all the valuables from the outer and inner Ratna Hhandars have earlier been transferred to a temporary strong room. Similarly, the empty chests and almirahs from both chambers have also been shifted.