Decision On Puri Ratna Bhandar Opening On July 9: Justice Biswanath Rath After Committee Meeting

Puri: A decision on the opening of Ratna Bhandar (treasury) of Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s pilgrim town of Puri is likely to be taken on July.

This was stated by Justice Biswanath Rath, who is heading the committee formed to supervise the reopening of Ratna Bhandar for repair and inventory of valuables.

After the first meeting of the reconstituted committee, the former Orissa High Court Judge told reporters that the decision on the opening of Ratna Bhandar will be taken at the next meeting of the committee to be held on July 9.

Noting that there is a duplicate key of Ratna Bhandar in the government treasury, he said the Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has been asked to present the key before the committee at its next meeting.

Stating that a decision on the opening Ratna Bhandar will be taken at the next meeting of the committee on July 9, Justice Rath said the lock will be broken if it does not open with the key.

A standard operating procedure (SOP) regarding the entire process will be presented in this regard to the government, he said.

Notably, the Odisha government on Thursday formed the new committee under the chairmanship of Justice Biswanath Rath. It comprises of 15 other members, including representatives of ASI and Gajapati Maharaj and Puri Collector, with chief administrator of SJTA as the convenor.