The much-awaited counting and inventory of precious jewels and ornaments stored in the Ratna Bhandar of Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri will begin on Wednesday. All activities will be carried out smoothly and transparently in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
The Ratna Bhandar had not undergone a formal inventory for the past 46 years, with the last exercise conducted in 1978. The commencement of this significant process after such a long gap has generated immense interest among devotees, as the Ratna Bhandar is deeply connected to the sentiments of all Jagannath lovers.
Preparations for the counting of the jewel ornaments took time due to the need for pre-inventory arrangements. Every step of the process will be executed meticulously with a specialised expert team, including two gemologists. Photography of every procedure will be conducted for proper documentation.
The team members involved in the inventory will enter the Ratna Bhandar during the auspicious muhurat between 12:09 PM and 1:45 PM. Special care has been taken to ensure that the daily rituals (niti) of the deities and darshan by devotees are not disturbed in any way.
It is not possible to specify exactly when the entire counting work will be completed. All personnel involved must strictly adhere to the SOP. The counting will be done as per the 1978 inventory list. A high-level meeting was held on Monday under the chairmanship of Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan to finalise arrangements.
After daily counting, the details will be loaded into a special computer software for e-cataloguing. All ornaments will be weighed, but the state government has decided against any valuation of the jewels. Only matching with the 1978 list will be undertaken.
On days when counting occurs, additional time will be allotted for the process. After the day’s work, the outer Ratna Bhandar will be locked in the presence of the Gajapati Maharaja’s representative, Bhandar Mekap Sevak, and temple administrative officials. The inner chamber will be secured daily in the presence of a Magistrate, and the keys will be deposited in the district treasury. The same procedure will be followed in reverse for reopening on subsequent counting days.
All members of the supervisory and handler teams, as well as everyone present during the counting, will wear traditional attire. Besides the main counting committee, goldsmiths, RBI bank officials, and a jewel security team will remain present.
Counting dates will be decided phase-wise. There will be no inventory on holidays, festivals, Saturdays, or Sundays. Devotees will continue to have darshan from outside on counting days.
This exercise after nearly 47 years holds deep emotional significance for millions of Jagannath devotees, as it involves the sacred treasures intrinsically linked to the temple’s heritage.
