The long-awaited repair of the Ratna Bhandar (treasury chamber) inside the Jagannath Temple in Puri is set to resume after the Rath Yatra and is expected to be completed before Niladri Bije, which marks the ceremonial return of the deities to the sanctum sanctorum.
The ongoing religious rituals and traditions (Nitikanti) ahead of the Rath Yatra required a temporary pause in repair work, Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan announced on Sunday. The focus currently remains on preserving ritual sanctity, but once the deities are out on their annual chariot journey, repair work inside Ratna Bhandar will proceed.
The Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), along with his team, recently inspected the Jagannath Temple, with special attention to Ratna Bhandar’s status.
Key points from the ASI’s review include:
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No structural changes will be made to the temple.
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Advanced conservation technology will be used, integrated with traditional techniques.
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All efforts will be carried out with utmost sensitivity to preserve the shrine’s sanctity and architectural heritage.
The temple’s administration (SJTA) has briefed the ASI about practical and structural concerns, ensuring mutual alignment on conservation without compromising religious integrity.
Minister Harichandan stressed that:
“Every step will be taken to ensure that there is no structural damage, and appropriate technology will be used.”
After the completion of Ratna Bhandar’s repair, additional inspections of other temple sections will follow. The 12th-century shrine, one of Hinduism’s holiest, holds not just spiritual but also historical and cultural significance. Past controversies surrounding the safety and secrecy of Ratna Bhandar’s contents have drawn considerable public interest, making its timely and transparent restoration crucial.
