The ongoing delay in the inventory of the Ratna Bhandar, the sacred treasury of the Jagannath Temple in Puri, has ignited a fierce political debate in Odisha.
The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government of misleading the public and unnecessarily prolonging the process, which has been stalled for over a year. The controversy centres around the government’s claim that assistance from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is required, a move the BJD calls unprecedented and questionable.
Dr. Lenin Mohanty, BJD’s spokesperson and media coordinator, today issued a scathing statement, criticising the government for creating uncertainty around the inventory process. “For the past year, the BJP’s double-engine government has been deceiving the people of Odisha. The Law Minister’s recent claim that the inventory will take another three months due to RBI involvement is unfortunate and raises serious doubts,” Dr. Mohanty said. He questioned the legal basis for involving the RBI, pointing out that the Shree Jagannath Temple Act does not mandate such assistance. “If there is no provision, why is the government delaying the process under the guise of RBI involvement?” he asked.
The Ratna Bhandar, which houses the priceless ornaments and treasures of Lord Jagannath, has been a focal point of public and religious sentiment. According to Dr. Mohanty, the temple’s valuable ornaments have been moved to an undisclosed location for the past year, raising concerns about their safety. The creation of a fifth door through a makeshift arrangement has further fueled suspicions, with reports of unauthorised access causing alarm among devotees. “The people of Odisha are disturbed, and doubts about the security of the treasures have crept into the minds of Jagannath devotees,” Dr. Mohanty added, urging the government to act transparently to dispel public distrust.
Recent developments indicate that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has completed repair work on the Ratna Bhandar, and the treasury has been handed over to the temple administration. The state government has announced plans to conduct the inventory in August 2025, with a high-level meeting scheduled to finalise the process. A new chest has been prepared to store the ornaments, and the government has requested two RBI experts to assist. However, these steps have done little to quell the BJD’s criticism, which accuses the government of politicising a sensitive religious issue.
The Ratna Bhandar controversy has not only raised questions about administrative efficiency but also highlighted the deep emotional connection Odias have with the Jagannath Temple.
As the debate intensifies, devotees and citizens alike await clarity and action to ensure the safety and proper documentation of the temple’s sacred treasures.
