Bhubaneswar: Ratna Bhandar, the treasury of Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, could have collapsed had the repair works not taken up immediately, Odisha Works Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said on Sunday.
“The work is being carried out for 1.5 to 2 hours daily while ensuring that the rituals of the sibling deities are not disturbed. Considering the extent of damage to the structure, it won’t be an exaggeration if I say that it could have collapsed anytime,” he told reporters.
The Minister further stated that the objective of the repair and renovation work is to strengthen the structure to last another 100-200 years. “This is the reason why the Archaeological Survey of India is not in a haste to finish the work, which is being carried out with great care,” he said, attributing the delay to less working hours being assigned to it due to religious constraints.
Harichandan, however, said that efforts are on to complete the work before the Snana Yatra of Lord Jagannath. “We also hope to take up Ratna Bhandar inventorisation during the annual sojourn of the Lords,” he added.
Also Read: Puri Jagannath Temple Ratna Bhandar Repair Work To Be Completed In Month’s Time: Justice Rath
Snana Purnima falls on June 11. Following which, the deities are kept away from public view for fifteen days in a special room called the Ratan Vedi, and the main entrance of the temple is closed.
