Treasures of Jagannath Temple Relocated Amid Tight Security

The relocation of valuables from the inner chamber of Ratna Bhandar at the Jagannath temple in Puri was completed in seven hours. The inner chamber, reopened for the second time this week, saw its ornaments and other treasures being moved to a temporary strong room. The entire process adhered to stringent guidelines, ensuring security and confidentiality.

The relocation of valuables from the inner chamber of Ratna Bhandar, the historic treasury of Puri's 12th-century Jagannath temple, was achieved in seven hours, officials announced on Thursday.

The inner chamber was reopened for the second time in a week to facilitate the transfer of precious items to a temporary strong room within the temple premises, according to authorities. Arabinda Padhee, chief of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), confirmed the successful completion of the process, stating that the inner chamber and the temporary strong room have been locked and sealed following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) guidelines.

Former Orissa High Court judge Justice Biswanath Rath, who chaired the supervisory committee, detailed that the treasures, securely stored in seven containers, have been moved to the temporary strong room and sealed, with keys entrusted to the Puri collector. The committee, including Justice Rath, sought blessings from Lord Jagannath before beginning the operation, echoing the confidentiality and sacred nature of the temple's treasures.