Historic Jagannath Temple Treasury Reopened for Safe Relocation of Valuables

The Ratna Bhandar, the treasury of the 12th-century Jagannath temple in Puri, was reopened to shift valuables to a temporary strong room. Officials and a supervisory committee, including judiciary and local royal representatives, are overseeing the process amid strong security measures. The last opening was in July after 46 years.

The Ratna Bhandar, the revered treasury of the 12th-century Jagannath temple in Puri, was reopened on Thursday for the second time in a week to transfer valuables to a temporary strong room, officials confirmed.

At precisely 9:51 am, the treasury doors were unlocked. Members of a supervisory committee, designated by the Odisha government for this process, entered the temple following prayers to Lord Jagannath and his siblings at 9 am.

Justice Biswanath Rath, committee chairman and former Orissa High Court judge, expressed hopes for a smooth relocation of all valuables stored in the inner treasury chamber. The last reopening on July 14, after 46 years, saw the clearing of the outer chamber. Presiding over the process, Puri's titular king Gajapati Maharaja Divya Singh Deb monitored the valuables' move to the temporary 'Khatasheja' room under stringent security measures.

The entire process is rigorously documented and takes place under strict security protocols, including modern survey equipment to analyze the inner chamber's condition, with every step monitored through CCTV and videography. Only authorized personnel in traditional attire are permitted inside, with additional emergency response teams on standby.

To minimize disruption, the temple administration restricted devotee entry from 8 am on Thursday, allowing only key officials and select servitors into the premises during the valuables' transfer.

(With inputs from agencies.)