Jagannath Temple: Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen) Sept 21: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has resumed the survey of Ratna Bhandar, the sacred treasury of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, as of Saturday. The second phase of this inspection began at 2 PM and will last for three days, during which access to the temple for devotees will be restricted.
Arabinda Padhee, Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), stated that the survey will run daily from 1 PM to September 23, with darshan of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra closed to the public during this time. However, the temple’s daily rituals will continue as usual. Devotees wishing to purchase mahaprasad from Ananda Bazaar must enter through the Simhadwar and exit via the North gate.
The inspection is being conducted in the presence of Ratna Bhandar committee members, with ASI officials performing a technical survey from 2 PM to 5 PM. Darshan is expected to be suspended until 6 PM. Padhee has urged the ASI Director General to complete the survey by September 24 in light of upcoming special rituals for Dussehra and the holy month of Kartika, and has requested the survey report be submitted promptly.
