Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), July 16: Justice Biswanath Rath, chairing the supervisory committee, announced on Tuesday that the Bhitara Ratna Bhandar (inner chamber treasury) of Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, will reopen on Thursday, July 18.
“We will unlock and enter the Bhitara Ratna Bhandar between 9:51 am and 12:15 pm on July 18. The valuables will be relocated to a temporary storage room, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) members will assess its structural stability. The entire process will be recorded,” he informed reporters following a meeting of the committee.
The inner chamber was last opened 46 years ago, with three locks cut open on Sunday. Inside, the team observed various steel and wooden chests and decided to postpone the transfer of jewels to focus on the upcoming Bahuda Yatra and Suna Besha ceremonies.
Meanwhile, items from the outer chamber have been moved to a temporary strong room in the Changda Mekap room within the temple grounds, stored in four wooden chests.
Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan outlined that the reopening of Ratna Bhandar is being conducted in three phases as per the Standard Operating Procedure. “The first phase, opening the ‘Bahar Ratna Bhandar’, is completed with all ornaments shifted to the Treasury. The ‘Bhitar Ratna Bhandar’ will be opened soon, with repair work overseen by the ASI in the interim,” he stated.
