Mystery of Ratna Bhandar Tunnel: Fact or Fiction?

The existence of a secret tunnel inside the Ratna Bhandar at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri remains a topic of debate. Gajapati Maharaja Divya Singha Deb recommends modern technology for investigation, while a supervisory committee finds no evidence of such tunnel. Minor structural issues were observed during the inspection.

The longstanding mystery regarding a possible secret tunnel inside the inner chamber of Ratna Bhandar at Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri remains unresolved. On Thursday, Gajapati Maharaja Divya Singha Deb suggested that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) could employ advanced technologies, such as laser scanning, to investigate the existence of such a tunnel.

Deb's suggestions come amid continuing speculation and belief among local people that a hidden tunnel exists within the temple's treasury. According to him, modern tools could offer valuable insights into the chamber's condition and uncover any concealed structures.

Contrary to these beliefs, Justice Biswnath Rath, chairman of the supervisory committee and a former judge of the Orissa High Court, reported finding no evidence of any secret features after spending over seven hours inside the chamber with ten other committee members. Rath emphasized that the media should avoid spreading misinformation about the tunnel.

Another committee member and servitor, Durga Dasmohapatra, echoed Rath's findings, adding that there were no tunnels or secret chambers inside the Ratna Bhandar, which measures approximately 20 feet high and 14 feet long. However, minor structural issues were noted, including small stones falling from the roof and a crack in the wall.