Bhubaneswar: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) announced that the long-anticipated inventory of Ratna Bhandar, the treasure chamber of the 12th-century Jagannath Temple, will be conducted in a phased manner. This approach aims to ensure complete transparency while preventing any disruption to daily rituals and the movement of devotees. The decision was made during a high-level managing committee meeting chaired in Puri. The SJTA and the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee held an important meeting on November 21, chaired by Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, the titular king of Puri.
In a briefing to reporters, SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee explained that the inventory process would only take place on days when temple rituals allow for sufficient time. “Counting will not be continuous once it begins. Instead, it will occur on days when there is no pressure from rituals. Our goal is to complete the inventory by the next 2026 Akshaya Tritiya without compromising accuracy”, he stated.
Padhee clarified that all ornaments and valuables have been returned to their original locations inside the Ratna Bhandar following the completion of repair work by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The Ratna Bhandar was opened in 2024 for the first time in four decades to facilitate structural repairs and inventory-related assessments.
New SOP for error-free counting
To ensure a meticulous and transparent process, the SJTA will implement a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that will guide every stage of the inventory. This procedure emphasizes accuracy, multi-layer supervision, and stringent security.
The counting will be conducted under CCTV surveillance and heavy security, with the presence of temple authorities, ASI officials, government representatives, jewellery specialists and officials from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). A digital record of all items will also be created as part of the modernization and documentation effort.
Temple officials stated that the focus is on a systematic audit free from discrepancies rather than adhering to a strict timeline. “This is a sacred process involving invaluable treasures. We will prioritize error-free counting over speed”, said Padhee.
New gold ornaments and donation scheme for devotees
The SJTA managing committee also approved a proposal to craft a new set of gold ornaments for Bhagwan Jagannath, Bhagwan Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. To enable devotees to contribute to the divine adornments, the administration will soon launch the ‘Swarna Alankara Dana Yojana,’ under which devotees can donate gold and silver.
In an initiative to make offerings more convenient, the SJTA is planning a new facility that will allow devotees to donate directly to the Temple while withdrawing cash from ATMs in Puri.
Enhanced welfare measures for servitors
In line with its welfare responsibilities, the SJTA has approved an increase in financial support for servitors. Under the revised assistance scheme, monetary support for a servitor’s daughter’s marriage will be raised from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh, while aid for the ‘Brataghara’ (sacred thread ceremony) has been increased from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000.
The committee also discussed the recent controversy surrounding ISKCON’s conduct of an early Rath Yatra and is currently examining the issue.
SJTA pushes for ownership of Emar Mutt’s 522 silver ingots
A major highlight of the meeting was the SJTA’s renewed demand for custody of the significant trove of silver ingots recovered from Emar Mutt in 2011. The administration has urged the Odisha government to take necessary legal steps to transfer ownership of the ingots—valued at around Rs 90 crore—to the Jagannath Temple.
The dispute dates back to February 2011, when police recovered 522 silver bars, weighing a total of 18 tonnes, from secret chambers inside Emar Mutt during an investigation into a foiled theft. The bars, each weighing between 35 and 40 kg, are currently stored in the Puri district armoury.
The SJTA maintains that Emar Mutt, founded in 1050 by philosopher-saint Ramanujacharya, is historically and traditionally connected to the Jagannath Temple. Therefore, its properties including the recovered silver belong to Bhagwan Jagannath. Several past legal precedents have also upheld temple ownership of properties held by mutts in Puri.
However, the mutt’s interim trust board has contested the SJTA’s claim, filing its own petition in the Orissa High Court, where the matter is still pending. The SJTA has decided to explore additional legal avenues to secure the silver for the Temple.
A broader mission to safeguard Srimandir treasures
The latest decisions are part of a larger mission aimed at protecting, preserving and modernizing the monitoring of Jagannath Temple’s invaluable treasures. By initiating digital inventories, strengthening security frameworks and ensuring community involvement through donation schemes, the Temple administration hopes to establish a transparent and accountable system for managing Srimandir’s assets.
Padhee reaffirmed that all efforts from Ratna Bhandar counting to legal initiatives—will prioritize both transparency and uninterrupted devotion. “Our responsibility is to ensure the sanctity of rituals and the security of the Lord’s treasures. All decisions made today reflect that commitment”, he stated.
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