The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has commenced repair and renovation work on the Ratna Bhandar, the treasure chamber of the Shree Jagannath Mandir in Puri, by the Odisha government’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
The work began today at 1 PM and continued until 6 PM, as Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan confirmed in Bhubaneswar.
“The ASI has assured us of a three-month timeline, but we have requested them to expedite the process,” Harichandan stated.
He emphasised that the repairs would be carried out without disrupting the daily rituals of the deities within the 12th-century shrine and that devotees would still be allowed access to the mandir during certain times throughout the renovation.
Work on the Ratna Bhandar will be conducted daily for 5-6 hours, starting after the second ‘Bhoga Mandap’ ritual, which concludes around 12:30 PM.
According to an ASI official, repairs will not take place on Saturdays, Sundays, or other holidays to accommodate the influx of devotees.
A senior ASI official reported that the repairs are being conducted under the direct supervision of senior ASI personnel and monitored by a technical core committee. Workers involved in the project wear traditional temple servitor attire and have been issued special identity cards.
The initial phase of the renovation involves setting up scaffolding and removing plaster from the walls of the Ratna Bhandar. Following this, the structure will be thoroughly cleaned, and repairs will be made to old iron beams and cracked stones. Both the inner and outer chambers of the Ratna Bhandar will be restored.
Once the renovation is complete, the ornaments stored in two temporary Ratna Bhandars will be returned to the renovated treasury. An inventory of these valuables will be conducted under expert supervision and stringent security, as stated by Law Minister Harichandan.
The Ratna Bhandar, located on the northern side of the temple, houses gold and diamond ornaments belonging to Bhagwan Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Bhagwan Balabhadra. The chamber was reopened in July after 46 years for documentation and assessment of its structure.
In November, a ground-penetrating radar survey conducted by the CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI) in Hyderabad found no evidence of hidden tunnels or underground treasuries within the temple premises.
The renovation of this 12th-century structure is part of an effort to preserve the mandir’s historical and architectural integrity while ensuring uninterrupted access for devotees.
