What’s inside Puri Srimandir Ratna Bhandar? Ornaments inventory data to be made public

What is inside Puri Srimandir’s Ratna Bhandar, the treasure trove of Lord Jagannath and his sibling deities? People of Odisha as well as millions of devotees across the globe will get to know about the details of the ornaments and other valuables as the state government will make public all such details.

This was informed by Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan in a written reply in Odisha Assembly on Saturday.

Comprehensive details about the ornaments will be disclosed once the counting process is completed, the Minister said adding that the last inventory check was conducted in 1978. 

According to the Law Minister, a methodical approach will be applied to the current task of documenting and counting, which will be taken up following essential renovation and repair works of the Ratna Bhandar. The completion of this process is anticipated to reaffirm the state government's commitment to transparency.

Also Read: Puri Ratna Bhandar repair work set to be completed before March: Odisha Minister

Harichandan said, “We are committed to completing the ongoing renovation work and following it up with a transparent disclosure to the public regarding the inventory.”
 
These reassurances aim to address public curiosity and expectations regarding the contents of the Ratna Bhandar. The Odisha government reiterates its dedication to ensure clarity and transparency once the current renovation activities are wrapped up.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Puri Srimandir Ratna Bhandar was opened after a gap of over 45 years on July 14, 2024.

The Ratna Bhandar of the Jagannath Temple in Puri holds immense historical and cultural significance. Dating back to the 12th century, this sacred vault houses priceless jewels, ornaments, and artefacts dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. 

The inner chamber, known as 'Bhitar Bhandar,' contains the most valuable items while the outer chamber, 'Bahar Bhandar,' stores ornaments used for daily rituals.

After the Ratna Bhandar was opened last year, all the valuables have been shifted to a temporary strong room located within the premises of the Puri Srimandir.