Puri: The process of shifting ornaments and other valuables from Bhitara Ratna Bhandar (inner chamber) of Shree Jagannath Temple to the temporary strong room was completed successfully on Thursday.
Soon after coming out of the 12th century shrine following the whole exercise, Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Arabinda Padhee told reporters that the valuables have been shifted to the temporary strong room set up inside the temple complex
“The entire process of shifting the valuables from Bhitara Ratna Bhandar to the temporary strong room has been successfully completed,” he said.
Stating that the entire process of shifting took around seven-and-a-half hours, the SJTA chief said special arrangements have been made for the safety and security of the valuables in the strong room inside the temple complex. Everything was done strictly in accordance with the standard operating procedure (SOP) laid down by the state government.
Briefing media, Chairman of the supervisory committee Justice (Retd) Biswanath Rath said there were three wooden almirahs, one steel almirah, two wooden chests and one iron chest inside Bhitara Ratna Bhandar of the 12th century shrine.
All the valuables were carefully put in new containers and later shifted to the temporary strong room inside the temple complex, he said, adding that the strong room was sealed and keys were given to the Puri Collector. The keys will be kept in the treasury.
Earlier in the morning, an 11-member team opened and entered Bhitara Ratna Bhandar of the temple at around 9.51 am in the presence of Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb.
An ancillary team examined the almirahs and chests inside the inner chamber first and the valuables were then shifted to the temporary strong room at Khata Seja Ghara, adjacent to the Ratna Bhandar outer chamber gate, inside the shrine complex.
The entire process was videographed to ensure transparency.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) members were also be given some time to take stock of its structural stability.
