SOP for Puri Srimandir Ratna Bhandar inventory to be released soon: Minister

The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the inventory and verification of the Ratna Bhandar of Puri Srimandir will be released soon, sources said on Saturday. As per reports, the counting and verification process will be carried out strictly as per the SOP. 

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) will soon prepare the SOP and send it to the State Government for approval. Once approved, the inventory process will commence.

Officials from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will also be requested to participate during the inventory process. Before the counting begins, the condition of the ornaments will be thoroughly examined. The entire process is expected to take around two and a half to three months. The inventory will be conducted inside the inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandar. 

The findings will also be matched with the records of the earlier assessment carried out in 1978. Digital photography of the ornaments will be taken as part of the documentation.

Also Read: Inventory, valuation of Puri Srimandir deities’ ornaments to be conducted in phases

Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan stated that the preservation of the ornaments is of utmost importance. He also mentioned that the silver bricks belong to the Emar Mutt, and based on this perspective, all ownership rights should belong to Lord Jagannath. 

The Minister further stated that the matter involves legal procedures, and necessary steps will be taken to resolve it. He wished that it's everyone's wish and the silver bricks be brought to the Ratna Bhandar.

"The findings will also be matched with the records of the earlier assessment carried out in 1978 and the conditions will be assessed. Digital photography, naming and cataloguing will be subsequently conducted during the inventory process. All these things will be mentioned in the SOP. Effort will be made to keep those in a proper and safety manner for a long time so that any kind of damage doesn't occur. There is no fear of theft, but there is fear of damage. Advice of the technical experts will be taken for the preservation process," said Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan.