High-Tech Inspection of Puri Jagannath Temple’s Inner Chambers
The process of shifting ornaments and valuables from the inner chamber, known as the Bhitara Ratna Bhandar, of the Puri Jagannath temple is set to be completed today. Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb announced that the operation began this morning and is expected to be finished by evening.
Preparation for Niladri Bije
Puri King, who accompanied the high-level committee during the second phase of opening the Ratna Bhandar, expressed hope that with the Lord’s blessings, the entire process would be completed today. This is crucial as preparations for the Niladri Bije of the Holy Trinity are scheduled to start tomorrow.
Temporary Storeroom Setup
All the ornaments and valuables of Lord Jagannath will be moved to the ‘Khatasheja Room’ within the Srimandir Complex. This room has been converted into a temporary storeroom, or ‘temporary Ratna Bhandar’.
Security Measures in Place
The Puri King confirmed that the almirahs and chests inside the inner chamber are intact. A high-security system with special secure doors has been implemented in the temporary strong room. Once the valuables are placed inside, the room will be locked and sealed. As per temple rules, the SJTA chief administrator will deposit the keys in the treasury.
Repair Work of Ratna Bhandar
Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb stated that high-end equipment and scanning devices will be used to inspect the inner and outer chambers of the Ratna Bhandar once they are vacant. This is to ensure that no items are left behind before handing the chambers over to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for necessary repairs. The Puri King emphasized the importance of these repairs, noting that ASI took over in 1971 and no repair work has been conducted since.
Continuation of Rituals and Darshan
The Puri King assured that the temple’s rituals and darshan by devotees will continue uninterrupted during this period. The administration will make the necessary provisions to facilitate this.
Inventory Process Post-Repair
Following the completion of repair work by the ASI, an inventorisation process will begin according to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the high-level committee. Once inventorisation is complete, the ornaments will be returned to the Ratna Bhandar.
Investigation of Tunnels
When asked about potential tunnels or secret pathways inside the Ratna Bhandar, Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb stated that everything will be clarified after the ASI conducts its inspection using advanced instruments and laser scanning.
The process of securing and repairing the Ratna Bhandar is critical for the preservation of the temple’s invaluable assets. The involvement of high-tech equipment and thorough inspections ensures that the temple’s treasures are safeguarded and properly maintained for future generations.
(With inputs from agencies)
