The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has formed two committees to oversee the inventory and appraisal of the Ratna Bhandar, the sacred treasury of the Puri temple.
Chief Administrator Dr Arvind Padhee announced the decision during a press conference.
The move follows the Odisha government’s approval of a detailed 14‑page Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that outlines methodology, documentation, security measures, and valuation. Temple administrators and senior officials met to discuss its implementation.
Two teams will lead the exercise: a Supervisory Committee to monitor the process and a Handling Committee to conduct the physical inventory and appraisal. The exercise aims to ensure transparency, proper documentation, and security, while also tallying with the 1978 inventory list.
SJTA reviewed the temple calendar from March until Niladri Bije, the concluding ritual of Rath Yatra. Out of 135 days, nearly 100 are unsuitable due to major festivals and heavy devotee footfall. Around 24 days before Niladri Bije have been identified as feasible for the inventory without disrupting rituals or darshan.
The list of suitable dates will be submitted to the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, which will finalise the schedule after consulting experts and considering auspicious timings. Specific responsibilities have been assigned to designated officials to ensure the smooth and secure execution of the Ratna Bhandar inventory and appraisal.
