Srimandir Ratna Bhandar opening: Tough task awaits ASI to carry out repair on war footing

After a long wait of 46 years, it will be a historic moment for the countless devotees of Lord Jagannath across the globe when the inner Ratna Bhandar of Puri Srimandir will be opened on Thursday. It will be a huge challenge to transfer the ornaments and the valuables to the temporary strongroom and carry out the inventory work. Moreover, it will also be a tough task for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to undertake the repair work of the treasure trove for the first time.

As per reports, the old ornaments and valuables will be shifted to the ‘Khatasheja’ room temporarily during the auspicious time between 9.51 AM to 12.15 PM. Reflecting on the development, the Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Arabinda Padhee said that it is not possible to tell about the quantity of the ornaments stocked inside the inner Ratna Bhandar and how much time it will take to transfer the valuables to the temporary strongroom.

“Following the completion of the shifting work, Ratna Bhandar will be handed over to ASI to carry out the repair work. Subsequently, the ASI will take stock of the situation and inform the inspection committee about the necessary work to be undertaken and how many days it will take. Then the Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) will be prepared for the repair work following discussions with the SJTA, high-level inspection committee and the State government. The SOP will be strictly followed during the repair work by ASI. Keys of Ratna Bhandar will not be handed over to ASI during the repair work, rather it will be kept with Puri Collector,” said Padhee.

Earlier, the Chairman of the high-level inspection committee Justice Biswanath Rath had informed that ASI officials will be allowed entry into the Ratna Bhandar for a short period of time to take stock of the situation for undertaking the repair work after shifting of the ornaments tomorrow.

Ratna Bhandar in dilapidated condition

It has been learnt that Ratna Bhandar has never been repaired earlier. Effort was made to open the treasure trove in 2018, but in vain. ASI’s technical expert committee had only inspected the structure from outside. The technical committee in its report mentioned the structure being in a dilapidated condition with seepage from walls, dislocation of some stones and weakening of plaster at some places as observed from the hollow sound on tapping the surface. As per the observation by ASI officials, two out of five iron beams on the entrance gate have been fully damaged and the other beams are not in good condition.

Under the circumstances, it will be a herculean task for the ASI officials to carry out the repair work on a war footing.

“As soon as the repair work of Ratna Bhandar is completed, the ornaments will again be shifted from the temporary strongroom,” said temple managing committee member, Madhab Pujapanda.

As per sources, after the completion of the shifting of ornaments and repair of Ratna Bhandar, counting and inventory works will be undertaken. Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan is hopeful that the entire process will be completed within 30 to 40 days.

“Initially, we had asked ASI to complete the repair work within seven to eight days. However, they can tell about the exact duration only after carrying out the inspection. I think the counting and inventory work will take 30-40 days,” said Harichandan.