The inventory and verification of the Ratna Bhandar jewellery at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri resumed on Sunday after remaining suspended since May 23.
The process restarted during the Rath Yatra period, when Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are staying at the Gundicha Temple, providing temple authorities an opportunity to document ornaments that are normally used to adorn the deities.
High-level meeting held before inventory work
A preparatory meeting was held at 10 am to finalise the operational plan for the resumed inventory and verification exercise.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and members of the supervisory committee overseeing the Ratna Bhandar inventory.
Officials reviewed the procedures for documenting the ornaments and ensuring the exercise is carried out in accordance with established temple protocols.
Sacred ornaments to undergo 3D scanning
The current phase of the inventory focuses on ornaments used to decorate the sibling deities and the jewellery offered during the recent Snana Purnima rituals.
During the earlier phase of the inventory, ornaments adorning Lord Jagannath could not be examined as they remained in ritual use. After Snana Purnima, these ornaments were removed and kept in the custody of the Mekapa servitors.
The items being inventoried include several sacred ornaments, such as:
- Rahu Rekha
- Jhoba
- Suna Chita
- Rupa Rasika
- Suna Thanthia
As part of the documentation process, the ornaments will also undergo high-precision 3D scanning to create detailed digital records.
Inner Ratna Bhandar inventory to be taken up later
Temple authorities clarified that the ongoing exercise is limited to ornaments removed from the deities and articles associated with Snana Purnima rituals.
The inventory and verification of jewellery and other valuables preserved inside the inner Ratna Bhandar will not be undertaken during this phase.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration said the schedule for verifying the contents of the inner treasury will be decided at a later date.
The inventory exercise is aimed at creating a comprehensive and transparent record of the temple’s sacred ornaments while supporting their long-term preservation through modern documentation techniques.
