The process of shifting empty treasure chests and almirahs from the Bahar and Bhitar Ratna Bhandar of the Sri Jagannath Temple was successfully completed on Friday. The meticulous operation was overseen by a team led by Justice Biswanath Rath, in compliance with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) established by the state government.
Details of the Operation:
Timing and Execution: The operation commenced at 2 PM, slightly behind the scheduled start time of 1 PM, and concluded by 5 PM. The entire process was meticulously documented through video recording and was conducted under the supervision of a magistrate. Following the removal, the items were securely stored in a room adjacent to the Niladri Vihar Temple Museum.
Key Deposits: The keys to both Ratna Bhandars have been handed over to the district treasury for safekeeping. To accommodate the operation, the daily rituals of the deities were rescheduled, and the temple gates were reopened at around 2:40 AM to facilitate the priests’ activities. The temple remained closed to devotees from 1 PM until the completion of the shifting work.
Previous Operations: Earlier, on July 14 and 18, all valuable treasures from the Ratna Bhandars were transferred to two temporary strong rooms in a phased manner. This was done under strict SOP adherence and video documentation to enable the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to perform necessary repairs.
Challenges and Solutions: The removal of the empty almirahs and treasure chests was delayed due to the size of the treasury door. On Friday, the workers cut the door to facilitate the removal of these items and promptly repaired it afterward. The temple administration has requested an updated SOP for future shifting operations.
Supervisory Team and Support: The twelve-member Ratna Bhandar supervising team, led by Justice Biswanath Rath, included key figures such as temple Chief Administrator Arabind Padhi, District Magistrate Sidhartth Shankar Swain, Superintendent of Police Pinak Mishra, Chhatisha Nijog chief Janardan Pattajoshi Mahapatra, and various temple committee members. Support personnel, including ODRAF members, snake helpline experts, medical staff, and other support staff, were also present.
Future Steps: Temple authorities plan to write to the Director General of the ASI to initiate repair work on the Ratna Bhandar. The ASI is expected to use modern electronic gadgets to scan the Ratna Bhandar for any hidden compartments. A new SOP will be issued for this process.
Since 1976, the Odisha government has entrusted the ASI with the repair, preservation, and conservation of this ancient temple. Once the repairs are completed, the treasures from the Bahar and Bhitar Ratna Bhandars, currently stored in temporary strong rooms, will be returned to their original locations. A fresh inventory of the entire wealth will be conducted, and the new inventory will be compared with the old list prepared in 1978.
