Odisha govt approves SOP for Ratna Bhandar inventory at Jagannath Temple, Puri. Counting of ornaments to begin soon under strict security and digital documentation
OdishaPlus Bureau
On Tuesday, the Odisha government sanctioned a 14-page Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the long-awaited inventory of ornaments and valuables housed in the Ratna Bhandar of the Jagannath Temple in Puri. The Temple Managing Committee is expected to announce the start date and auspicious timing following its next meeting, which is scheduled for the upcoming week.
According to Arabinda Padhee, the chief administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, the SOP was presented before Lord Jagannath on Tuesday. This document, which received clearance from both the chief minister and the law minister before final government approval, delineates the procedures for counting, documenting, and managing the ornaments within the temple treasury.
Approximately one month ago, the Orissa High Court instructed the state government to finalize an inventory of the Lord Jagannath temple’s jewelry and valuables within a three-month timeframe, following a Public Interest Litigation regarding the issue. Padhee indicated that the inventory process will be conducted by a supervising team and a handling team. The supervising team will be led by the chief administrator, with the district magistrate or deputy chief administrator taking charge in his absence. At no time will more than three members of the supervisory group be permitted inside the Ratna Bhandar.
The handling team, consisting of 10 members selected from the temple administration, temple servitors, and representatives from public sector banks, will be responsible for the counting and documentation process. Padhee noted, “Two goldsmiths from the State Bank of India or other public sector banks will assist in the identification and preliminary assessment, along with expert gemologists. If necessary, the Reserve Bank of India may offer technical support. Additionally, Puri Gajapati Maharaja may choose to participate in the handling team if he wishes.”
The procedure will take place under the surveillance of CCTV, accompanied by comprehensive photography and videography. A digital catalog will be created, and all participants must sign confidentiality agreements. The entry of mobile phones and unauthorized metal objects will be strictly prohibited.
The inventory will be executed in stages, commencing with the frequently utilized section of the Ratna Bhandar, followed by the outer chamber and subsequently the inner chamber. The keys to the inner Ratna Bhandar will be secured in the treasury at the conclusion of each working day and retrieved the following morning in the presence of a magistrate.
Padhee indicated that approximately 24 suitable working days have been identified before this year’s Rath Yatra festival, taking into account the significant foot traffic on weekends and during other major rituals. “Measures will be implemented to ensure that devotees do not encounter any inconvenience during darshan,” he stated. Throughout the inventory process, devotees will be permitted to have darshan only from outside the sanctum sanctorum, with only designated sevayats allowed inside for daily rituals.
Historical records, including the inventory from 1978, which required 72 days for completion, as well as ornament records dating back to 1885 and 1982, will be cross-verified. The final inventory list will be presented to the Temple Managing Committee and subsequently forwarded to the state government. The new inventory will not include any current valuation of the jewelry.
The Ratna Bhandar, situated adjacent to the sanctum sanctorum of the 12th-century temple, contains centuries-old gold, silver, and diamond jewelry. The last inventory, conducted between May 13 and 23, 1978, documented 454 gold items weighing 128.380 kg and 293 silver items weighing 221.530 kg across both chambers.
In July 2024, all jewelry was removed from the treasury for auditing and repair work, which was performed by the Archaeological Survey of India.