Devotees visiting the sacred Jagannath Temple may face temporary restrictions as the temple administration announced that inner wooden barricade darshan, locally known as “Bhitar Kath Darshan,” will remain closed on the upcoming Ratna Bhandar inventory days.
The announcement was made by Aravind Padhee, who stated that the decision was taken after delays occurred during the ongoing counting and verification process of the temple’s treasured Ratna Bhandar ornaments and valuables.
According to officials, Monday’s inventory process continued for nearly three hours, but the work was delayed due to the elaborate rituals associated with the deities’ grand ceremonial bathing, known as “Bada Mahasnana.” To ensure smooth completion of the remaining counting process, temple authorities decided to suspend Bhitar Kath Darshan on the next scheduled Ratna Bhandar counting day.
Meanwhile, Ratna Bhandar Supervisory Committee chairman Justice Biswanath Rath revealed that the inventory conducted so far matches “100 percent” with the official 1978 Ratna Bhandar records, bringing relief and confidence to devotees and temple authorities alike.
Officials further informed that every ornament is being carefully examined with the help of gemologists and ratna experts because many of the sacred ornaments contain rare pearls, diamonds, rubies and other precious stones. Advanced documentation methods, including high-resolution photography, videography and 3D mapping, are also being carried out to digitally preserve the priceless treasures of the temple.
The counting process inside the Ratna Bhandar reportedly began after the Madhyahna Dhupa rituals and is being conducted under strict supervision with enhanced security arrangements. The ongoing inventory and preservation work has drawn significant public attention across Odisha, as devotees eagerly await updates related to the historic temple treasury.
