The Odisha government today granted permission to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) of Puri to open 'Ratna Bhandar', the treasury of Lord Jagannath, after 34 years for inspection by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Precious jewellery and ornaments of the deities are kept in the Ratna Bhandar which was last inspected in 1984 and only three of its seven chambers had been opened then. No one knows exactly what was stored in the other chambers.
The 12th century Shree Jagannath Temple is located at Puri, one of the four 'Dhams' the Hindus considered holy. The other three 'Dhams' are Badrinath, Dwarka and Rameswaram.
"The state government's Law department granted conditional permission to open the Lord's Ratna Bhandar for inspection by experts of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to assess its structural stability and safety," SJTA chief administrator P K Jena said.
However, he said he is yet to go through the conditions given by the state government.
"We'll certainly take precautionary measures before opening the Ratna Bhandar," Jena said.
He had earlier clarified that no assessment of the ornaments or valuables kept inside the Ratna Bhandar will be undertaken.
While a section of servitors are opposed to opening of the Ratna Bhandar, the Orissa High Court has asked the SJTA to inspect condition of the store house of valuable ornaments.
Jena said the modalities to be adopted for opening of Ratna Bhandar will be discussed at a meeting of the Chhatisa Nijog (apex body of temple servitors) tomorrow.
The Orissa High Court on March 22 had ordered the ASI to inspect the structural condition of the Ratna Bhandar on March 26 and 27 and submit a status report on March 29.
After inspection of the Ratna Bhandar, the ASI said its outer surface is good. The condition of the inside would be inspected after it is opened.
The Orissa High Court is monitoring the repair work undertaken by the ASI in the 12th century shrine since 2016, while adjudicating over a PIL seeking judicial intervention for an effective repair and renovation of the temple.
A former administrator of the Temple, R N Mishra, said the Ratna Bhandar was last opened in 1984 and only three chambers could be opened at that time.
Those who had gone for inspection heard hissing sounds of snakes from inside when they were venturing towards the fourth chamber, said Mishra who was the administrator in 1984.
As only 'diyas' were allowed as source of light during those days, the inspection was stopped, he said.
According to the Record of Rights-4, 1952, there are 150 varieties of gold jewelleries inside the "Bahar Bhandar" (outer treasury) and precious gems including diamond and other ornaments of gold and silver are kept inside the "Bheetar Bhandar" (inner treasury).
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