Jagannath temple's Ratna Bhandar reopens after 46 years

The Ratna Bhandar, the sacred treasury of the 12th-century Jagannath temple in Puri, was reopened on Sunday after being closed for 46 years. This reopening allows for an inventory of valuable items and necessary repairs to the treasury’s structure.

A special committee formed by the state government entered the temple at noon, performed rituals, and officially reopened the treasury. The reopening became a significant political issue during recent elections, with the BJP criticizing the ruling BJD over the missing keys. The BJP had promised to reopen the treasury if they won.

In a message from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), it was stated that this reopening reflects the wishes of Lord Jagannath and the pride of the Odia community. The moment chosen for the reopening was considered auspicious, taking place at 1:28 PM.
Among the attendees were former Orissa High Court judge Biswanath Rath, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief administrator Arabinda Padhee, ASI Superintendent DB Gadanayak, and a representative of Puri's Gajapati Maharaja. Four temple servitors were also present to conduct the rituals.

While the treasury was reopened, the actual inventory of valuables won’t happen immediately. Padhee mentioned that the items would be temporarily moved to a secure room in wooden chests, which have already been prepared. Safety of the treasury's structure is the top priority, and inventory will begin after repairs are completed.

Currently, three keys to the outer chamber are in possession of the Gajapati Maharaja, SJTA, and a servitor. The inner chamber's key is missing, and once found, it will be sealed and kept in the district treasury for safekeeping.