For the first time in 46 years, the inner Ratna Bhandar (treasure trove) of Puri’s Jagannath Temple was opened today, revealing the precious ornaments of the sibling deities—Lords Jagannath and Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra. These valuables, donated by devotees and erstwhile kings over centuries, have been stored in the Ratna Bhandar of the 12th-century shrine.
An 11-member committee, including Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief administrator Arabinda Padhi, entered the inner Ratna Bhandar by breaking three locks, as the existing keys did not work. The committee conducted an inspection but did not open or shift any of the jewellery and valuables stored in five almirahs and metal chests (Sinduka). A different date has been set for this process.
“We first opened the outer Ratna Bhandar as per the standard operating procedure and shifted all the jewellery and other valuables to the temporary strongroom made within the temple premises. Then we entered the inner Ratna Bhandar after breaking three locks. We have locked it again,” Padhi told reporters. He emphasized that another date will be set for shifting the valuables from the inner Ratna Bhandar, as it requires significant time and they cannot move just a portion of it according to the SOP.
The current priority for the administration is to ensure the smooth conduct of the Bahuda Yatra (return car festival of the lords), scheduled for Monday, and other rituals. “After Niladri Bije (an occasion when the deities are taken to the sanctum sanctorum of their temple again after the Rath Yatra), we will decide a date to carry out the remaining process,” Padhi added.
Justice Biswanath Rath, chairman of the high-level committee formed by the Odisha government to supervise the opening of the Ratna Bhandar and inventory process, also inspected the inner Ratna Bhandar. He dismissed speculations about the presence of serpents inside the chamber, stating, “There was absolutely no truth in the gossip about the presence of serpents and creatures. All the members went inside with sound health and mind and returned without getting hurt.”
Officials confirmed that snake experts and a medical team were on standby but their services were not needed.
The team that entered the inner Ratna Bhandar comprised the chief administrator of SJTA, Puri Collector, ASI Superintendent (Odisha circle), a member of the Ratna Bhandar sub-committee of the SJTA, two members from the high-level committee, a representative of Gajapati Maharaj (Puri’s erstwhile royal), and four people from the temple servitors’ community.
The Ratna Bhandar consists of two chambers—Bhitar Bhandar (inner chamber) and Bahara Bhandar (outer chamber). The outer chamber is regularly opened to fetch ornaments for the deities during the Suna Besha (event when the deities are adorned with golden jewellery) and other major festivals throughout the year. The last inventory of the Ratna Bhandar was done in 1978, and while the treasury was opened again in 1985, no fresh inventory was conducted at that time.
Officials have stated that when the inner Ratna Bhandar is opened again after Niladri Bije, all the jewellery and valuables will be moved to another temporary strongroom. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the custodian of the temple, will then inspect the structural safety of the inner Ratna Bhandar and carry out necessary repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the jewellery will be shifted back to the Ratna Bhandar, and the inventory of valuables will begin.
