Bhubaneswar, November 1: The inventory of Puri Jagannath Temple’s Ratna Bhandar will be done from New Year, informs Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan here on Friday.
The Ratna Bhandar (chambers of Lord Jagannth’s treasury) of the 12th century shrine was last inventoried in 1978.
“GPR survey report of Ratna Bhandar will come soon. Preliminary discussion suggests existence of no secret tunnel or chambers but we are waiting for the final report. There is a huge rush of devotees in Shreemandir due to Kartika month. ASI will carry out repair work for one month after completion of Kartika month,” said Harichandan.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had in September conducted the exercise, including the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey of the Ratna Bhandar (chambers of Lord Jagannth’s treasury).
The Minister further said, “There are cracks in the Ratna Bhandar. After the repair work, inventory will be done and a report will be published within 7 days after reviewing the last inventory list.”
The Ratna Bhandar was opened after a gap of 46 years in July to take stock of the inventory of valuables and repair of the structure.
Ornaments and other valuable items from the inner and outer chambers of the treasury have been stored in a temporary strongroom inside the temple for the repair work.
