The 16th day of counting and weighing at Srimandir’s Ratna Bhandar ended on Monday after a long, tightly supervised session that ran from 11:30 a.m. — after the morning dhupa — until 6:55 p.m. The team worked for 7 hours and 25 minutes.
Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee said the sacred Jhoba Kanthi, the necklace worn on the deities’ body, was counted, weighed and handed over to the Bhandar Mekap servitors. A separate list of ornaments received as donations has also been prepared; those items will be inventoried in a later phase.
Inside the Bhitar Ratna Bhandar, wooden boxes holding precious ornaments and valuables were measured. Because a full count cannot be done safely inside the cramped inner chamber, that work will shift to Khata Seja Ghar. After verification, the articles will be packed into three boxes and returned to the inner treasury.
The state government has approved one more additional Superintendent of Police for the operation. All work, Padhee said, is following the approved SOP. The inner vault holds ornaments set with diamonds, sapphires, pearls and rubies — which is why each piece is handled with extreme care. A single ornament is taking nearly an hour to count and document.
Counting inside the inner Ratna Bhandar will continue on Tuesday. Officials still cannot say when the full inventory of every jewel and ornament will be finished. Monday’s process, Padhee added, was completed with complete transparency. Officials have also said valuables checked so far match the 1978 inventory and remain safe.
