Shri Jagannath Temple's Ratna Bhandar Reopened After 46 Years

The Ratna Bhandar of Shri Jagannath Temple was reopened after 46 years on Sunday. The Odisha government issued SOPs for the occasion, ensuring strict guidelines and video recording of the event. Officials carried out inventorization of the valuables stored in the treasure trove.

The 'Ratna Bhandar' (treasure trove) of the Shri Jagannath Temple has finally been opened after more than four decades on Sunday. The reopening followed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the Odisha government. On Saturday, the government sanctioned the opening after completing the inventorization of the stored valuables, including pieces of jewelry.

To mark this momentous occasion, the Office of the Chief Minister of Odisha said on X, 'Jai Jagannath Oh Lord! You are rhythmic. The whole world is oppressed by your desire. You are the heartbeat of the orthodox nation... The four doors of the temple were first opened at your will. Today, after 46 years of your will, the gem was opened with a great purpose...I strongly believe that this great work will be successful...' Special boxes were brought to the temple ahead of the reopening.

Sri Jagannath Temple Administration Chief Arabinda Padhee confirmed, 'The Odisha government approved the SOP for opening the Ratna Bhandar. Today, the Ratna Bhandar is being opened per set guidelines. Authorised representatives from various 'sewa' groups, ASI officials, representatives of Shri Gajapati Maharaj, and others are in attendance. The proceedings will be video recorded for our records, not for publicity and will remain confidential.' He detailed three SOP steps for the opening and inventorization process.

'There are three steps to the SOP: opening the outer Ratna Bhandar, specific guidelines for the inner Ratna Bhandar, and transferring valuables to a temporary, strong room... Once shifted, we will inventory the items. We seek Mahaprabhu's blessings for the smooth opening and the subsequent steps,' Padhee elaborated. The Ratna Bhandar reopening was scheduled for 1:28 pm following the SOPs.

Inspection Committee Chairman Justice Biswanath Rath stated, 'As per discussions and suggestions from the 'Purohits' and 'mukti mandap', the right time for opening the Ratna Bhandar is 1:28 pm.' He noted the process's complexity, given the last opening was in 1985.

'We convened a meeting today, decided to proceed with the opening, and handle the ornaments... The procedure involves two sets of video recordings and certifications... It’s challenging as we don't know the current condition inside since it last opened in 1985... We'll open the locks regardless,' Justice Rath remarked. Meanwhile, Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan confirmed that the inventory would involve a representative from the Reserve Bank of India, with a digital catalog to be created post-counting.

'We requested the Reserve Bank of India's involvement; a representative will be included... After the ornament count, we will create a digital catalog complete with photographs, weights, and quality details. This digital catalog will serve as a reference,' he explained. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will undertake the repair works and maintain the 12th-century shrine. The Treasury was last opened in 1978.