Bhubaneswar: The second phase of inventory of the Ratna Bhandar at Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri in Puri will be conducted between April 8 and 10.
Announcing this on Saturday, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said necessary steps will be taken to ensure smooth conduct of daily rituals of sibling deities and public darshan during the inventory process.
All preparations have been made for the counting and verification of ornaments and other valuables stored in the treasury of the 12th century shrine.
Around 80 per cent of movable treasures in the Chalanti Ratna Bhandar were counted using 3D mapping, photography, and videography when the inventory process began on March 25, according to Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Arabinda Padhee.
Notably, the inventory process began on March 25 under tight security by teams comprising temple servitors, bank officials, gemologists, and representatives from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
After inventory, the list of ornaments and valuables will be cross-verified with 1978 records. Each ornament will be weighed, identified with the help of gemologists, digitally documented, and securely packed in specially prepared chests based on metal classification.
Officials said that gold, silver, and other ornaments will be wrapped in colour-coded cloths and stored systematically to ensure preservation and transparency in documentation.
Meanwhile, the state government has intensified preparations for the upcoming Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and siblings. Special emphasis is being placed on restricting vehicle entry onto the Grand Road and widening adjoining roads to ease congestion during the festival, the Minister said.
