Ratna Bhandar of Jagannath temple in Puri to open on July 14: Audit panel chief

Biswanath Rath, a retired judge from the Orissa High Court, has been appointed to lead a new committee overseeing the opening of the Ratna Bhandar, the treasury of the Jagannath temple in Puri. This treasury holds valuable jewelry and other items belonging to the temple deities. The committee has decided to open the treasury on July 14, amidst preparations for the Rath Yatra festival.

Previously, there was confusion as the government dissolved the old committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Arijit Pasayat. The new committee, comprising 16 members, aims to conduct a detailed inventory of the treasury, regardless of whether the key is available or functional. The Chief Administrator of the temple has been asked to present the key to the committee on July 14.

The Ratna Bhandar, situated near the temple’s sanctum sanctorum, is considered the temple’s most precious asset, housing priceless jewelry made of diamonds, gold, and silver. Rath emphasized the need for skilled individuals like goldsmiths and metrologists to assist in the audit process, which is expected to identify ornaments dating back over 1,500 years.

The treasury consists of two chambers—Bahara Bhandar (outer chamber) and Bhitara Bhandar (inner chamber)—containing a significant amount of gold and silver items. The last inventory conducted in 1978 revealed 454 gold articles weighing 128.380 kg and 293 silver articles weighing 221.530 kg across both chambers.

As preparations continue, Rath stressed the importance of forming teams and ensuring the security and expertise of those involved in handling and assessing the treasury’s contents.