Puri: The inner chamber of Srimandir’s Ratna Bhandar was opened again today at the auspicious time by the expert team.
Transfer of ornaments and valuables to the temporary strongroom to be done first and subsequently, inventory work will be carried out, sources said.
As per reports, Gajapati Sri Dibyasingha Deb will be present during this process.
As per the 2018 report, there were damages in the Ratna Bhandar and things have only worsened in all these years. So, after analysis of the damage, repair work of the inner chamber of Ratna Bhandar by the ASI may be done first after shifting the valuables to the strong room, said Anil Dhir, heritage researcher and historian.
A support team will first inspect the almirahs and chests within the inner chamber, after which the valuables will be transferred to the temporary strong room at Khata Seja Ghara, located next to the Ratna Bhandar’s outer chamber gate, within the temple complex. “Today, the government’s standard operating procedures will be followed to move all valuables and ornaments from the ‘Bhitar Ratna Bhandar’ to the temporary strong room,” stated Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain to the press.
The entire operation will be recorded on video to guarantee transparency.
Subsequently, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will be allotted time to assess the structural integrity.
Bhandar Mekap attendants, the Snake helpline team, the ODRAF team, and fire service members are on standby. Despite no reptiles being detected in the Ratna Bhandar on Sunday, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has taken the precaution of deploying snake catchers.
Importantly, to facilitate the smooth execution of the process, devotees were prohibited from entering the temple from 8 am. Only the Singhadwara, or Lion’s Gate, was kept open, while the north, south, and west gates remained closed, mirroring the arrangements made during the treasury’s opening on Sunday.
