The ratna bhandar of Shri Jagannath Temple of Puri has been reopened today after 46 years. The head of the Sri Jagannath temple administration said that all the jewelery from the outer ratna bhandar has been shifted. The ratna bhandar house inside was opened by breaking the locks. The material found there is in shelves and chests. Since the contents of the internal repository could not be transferred and time ran out, we have decided to schedule another day for this process.
Ratna Bhandar has been opened for taking inventory of jewellery, precious items and for repairing the storage.
Earlier it was opened in 1978. Members of the committee constituted by the state government entered the temple at around 12 noon and after performing the rituals, the ratna bhandar was reopened.
Eleven people were present when the Ratna Bhanad was opened, including former Orissa High Court judge Vishwanath Rath, Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief administrator Arabinda Padhi, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) superintendent DB Gadnayak and Raja 'Gajapati of Puri. A representative of the Maharaja was included.
What's inside the revered treasury
– The treasury is home to precious gold and diamond jewellery offered to Lord Jagannath. As per Odisha Magazine, Odisha's King Anangabhima Dev donated 2.5 lakh madhas of gold to prepare jewellery for the almighty.
– The Ratna Bhandar has two chambers — Bhitar Bhandar (Inner Treasury) and Bahar Treasury (Outer Treasury). The Magazine stated that the outer treasury has suna mukuta of Lord Jagannath, three gold necklaces (Haridakanthi Mali) weighing 120 tolas each.
– The report mentioned also mentions Suna Sribhuja and Sri Payar of Lord Jagannath and Balabhadra.
– Meanwhile, the inner treasury has close to 74 gold ornaments, each weighing more than 100 tolas, the report added.
– There are plates made of gold, diamond, corals and pearls, the report said. Apart from this, more than 140 silver jewellery are also kept in the treasury.