Odisha Govt To Approve Ratna Bhandar Opening Date Proposed By Puri Temple Managing Committee: Law Minister

Bhubaneswar: With the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee forwarding a proposal, the Odisha government on Thursday said that the Ratna Bhandar of the 12th century shrine is most likely to be opened on July 14 (Sunday).

This was stated by Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan. “In all probability, the Ratna Bhandar will be opened on July 14.

Stating that the temple managing committee’s recommendation will be examined from different angles, the Minister told media that a final decision will be taken accordingly.

The state government will go through the details of the proposal and it is almost confirmed that the Ratna Bhandar will be opened on July 14.

Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Vir Vikram Yadav had said on Wednesday that the proposal of the 16-member high-level committee headed by Justice Biswanath Rath was discussed in the meeting.

“The panel had also suggested the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for opening of the treasury. Some more suggestions have been added to it. These will be sent to the government and can be disclosed only after its approval,” the SJTA chief said.

He further said that the managing committee has proposed in the SOP to open the Ratna Bhandar on July 14. “Steps will be taken as per the direction of the state government,” he added.

On July 9, Justice Biswanath Rath Committee proposed to reopen Bahara (outer) and Bhitara (inner) enclosures of the Ratna Bhandar on July 14 for both inventorisation and conservation works with approval of the state government.