Puri Jagannath Temple’s Ratna Bhandar, the chamber of secret, to reopen after 40 years

India is waiting with bated breath for what’s inside the much-anticipated Ratna Bhandar, the chamber of secret at Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha. The Ratna Bhandar at Jagannath Temple was last opened in 1985, and the inventory of its jewels and other valuables was last conducted in 1978. Since then, no further inventory of these treasures has been undertaken. This long interval without updating the inventory adds to the anticipation of the scheduled reopening of the inner chamber.

Decades later, the stage is all set to reopen the secret room after 46 years, as preparations are underway to inventory the ornaments and valuables inside. This major event followed shortly after the BJP won the state elections.

Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said, “Ratna Bhandar at Lord Jagannath Temple will be opened on July 14. The decision was approved by the government. We will open the Ratna Bhandar, we will repair it and counting of ornaments will be done”.

What’s inside the Ratna Bhandar?

The inner chamber of Ratna Bhandar at the 12th-century temple in Puri boasts a collection of the rarest jewelry, including diamonds, gold, and precious gems. These treasures, donated over centuries by devotees and kings to Lord Jagannath, are preserved and cataloged.

According to the Odisha Review magazine article from 2022, the Bhitara Bhandar contains 180 types of ornaments, including 74 varieties of pure gold ornaments, some weighing more than 1.2 kilograms. This repository safeguards valuables not regularly used for the deities, reflecting centuries of devotion and cultural heritage.

The process

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As per a government-approved plan, a team, headed by the chief administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), will visit the temple treasury on Sunday. This team will comprise members from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) along with temple servitors. The ASI, responsible for maintaining the 12th-century shrine, will use this opportunity to undertake necessary repairs and maintenance work.

“To maintain transparency in the process for inventory of the ornaments, we are taking the help of the RBI. Representatives of the RBI will remain present during the inventory and extend support to the team formed by the managing committee for this purpose,” the Minister added.

History of opening

In 1978, officials took over 70 days to complete the inventory process at the treasury. This time, the Odisha government plans to expedite the process using technology. Governor Harichandan announced on Saturday that officials will photograph the inventory process to create a digital catalog of the ornaments for future reference.

Specialised teams have been assigned distinct tasks. They will initially select an auspicious time, known as ‘Suba Bela,’ to open the treasury using a duplicate key held by the Puri district administration. If this approach fails, a magistrate will oversee the process of breaking the lock.

Snake catchers deployed ahead of opening

As per a report by Times of India, the temple committee was seeking a skilled snake charmer due to concerns about potential reptile threats ahead of the opening. A team of doctors will also be on standby with necessary medical supplies.

A committee servitor expressed both curiosity about discovering the ancient treasures and apprehension regarding possible snake presence, citing the temple’s age and the presence of small holes and cracks through which snakes could enter.

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