Bijoy Mohapatra Renews Demand For Reopening Of Ratna Bhandar At Puri Jagannath Temple

Bhubaneswar: Odisha BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra has once again demanded that the state government open the Ratna Bhandar at Puri Jagannath Temple.

The veteran leader’s remarks came amid Orissa High Court-appointed amicus curiae N K Mohanty’s visit to the Jagannath temple in Puri on Saturday.

“Amicus curiae visited Puri and found irregularities in security and repair works. There has been a continuous delay in its reopening as officials are thinking the Odisha government is the owner of Ratna Bhandar,” Mohapatra said.

During his visit to the temple, Mohanty held a meeting with Shri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) officials, discussed with Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) authorities repair works of the Natya Mandap, sanctum sanctorum, Jagamohan and the Bhoga Mandap of the temple.

However, no discussion was held regarding the renovation of the Ratna Bhandar of the 12th-century shrine.