The historic Ratna Bhandar of Jagannath Temple was reportedly at risk of collapse due to years of neglect, Odisha’s Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan has warned.
Restoration work, led by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), is now underway to prevent structural failure.
The minister stated that the chamber, which has stood for nearly two centuries, showed alarming signs of deterioration. Had intervention been delayed, the treasure vault could have crumbled. Repair efforts are being conducted under strict procedural guidelines, with experts working cautiously for limited hours each day.
Authorities aim to complete the restoration before the upcoming Snana Purnima festival, a major religious event. The minister’s revelation has sparked public concern about the long-term preservation of the temple’s invaluable heritage.
