Bhubaneswar: The inventory and documentation work of the Ratna Bhandar of the Jagannath Temple in Puri has been temporarily suspended from May 24 due to severe heatwave conditions, heavy inflow of devotees, and preparations for the upcoming Snana Purnima and annual Rath Yatra festivals. The temple administration announced that the process is expected to resume in June after reviewing weather conditions and logistical requirements.
Officials of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) stated that continuing the counting and documentation exercise under the prevailing extreme weather and mounting crowd pressure could create operational challenges and affect the smooth conduct of temple rituals and administrative activities.
The inventory exercise, which resumed on May 11 after a brief pause during Chandana Jatra, has so far completed nearly 20 per cent of the work. According to officials, more than 120 ornaments stored in the inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandar have already been documented during approximately 57 hours and 8 minutes of counting work.
The historic inventory process originally commenced on March 25 under tight security arrangements. The exercise involves temple servitors, senior government officials, gemologists, and representatives from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The Ratna Bhandar, considered one of the most sacred and valuable treasuries of Lord Jagannath Temple, contains precious ornaments and valuables associated with the deities.
Focus Shifts to Snana Purnima and Rath Yatra
With lakhs of devotees expected to visit Puri during the upcoming festive season, the administration has now shifted its focus toward ensuring smooth management of rituals, crowd control, security arrangements, and devotee convenience during the major festivals.
The temple administration informed that preparations are underway for a series of important rituals and events beginning with Snana Purnima and continuing through Rath Yatra, Adapa Mandap Bije, Bahuda Yatra, Suna Besha, Adhara Pana, and Niladri Bije.
Officials said that detailed planning for the next phase of the Ratna Bhandar inventory work would be undertaken after assessing the festival schedule and overall logistical requirements.
Coordination Meetings from Next Week
The temple administration further announced that a series of meetings involving the Chhattisha Nijog, temple management committee, and other sub-committees will begin from next week to finalise preparations for the festivals and chalk out the roadmap for resuming the Ratna Bhandar inventory process.
High-Level Meeting Reviews Rath Yatra Preparations
Meanwhile, Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan chaired a high-level review meeting in Bhubaneswar to discuss the smooth and disciplined conduct of the upcoming Rath Yatra and associated festivals.
During the meeting held at the State Guest House, the minister stressed that every ritual and festival associated with Lord Jagannath carries deep emotional significance for devotees across Odisha and around the world. He emphasised the need for coordinated efforts among various government departments, district administration, police authorities, servitor bodies, and devotees to ensure the successful organisation of the annual festivities.
The meeting reviewed several critical aspects related to the Rath Yatra, including timely conduct of rituals, orderly Pahandi procession, disciplined chariot pulling, crowd management, security deployment, barricading arrangements, and improved facilities for devotees.
Discussions also focused on creating awareness among servitors, Nijog members, and police personnel regarding their respective responsibilities during the mega religious event.
Temple Administration Reviews Logistics and Ritual Arrangements
Shree Jagannath Temple Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee informed the meeting about the various preparatory measures already undertaken by the temple administration for the Rath Yatra.
He stated that arrangements related to chariot construction materials, ropes for the chariots, ceremonial fabrics, incense, sandalwood, and other ritual materials required for the festivals have already been reviewed and stocked adequately.
The administration is also working on advance dissemination of ritual schedules and strengthening crowd management strategies to avoid inconvenience to devotees during peak festival days.
Senior officials, including Law Department Principal Secretary Dr. Pavitra Mohan Samal, Puri Collector Dibyajyoti Parida, Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh, and representatives of the Daitapati Nijog attended the high-level review meeting along with other administrative and temple officials.
Authorities expressed confidence that with coordinated planning and cooperation from all stakeholders, this year’s Rath Yatra and related festivals would be conducted in a disciplined, secure, and spiritually enriching manner for millions of devotees.
