Jagannath Sena Activists Protest Decision To Open Puri Ratna Bhandar

Puri: Activists of the Jagannath Sena on Wednesday staged a demonstration in front of Singhadwara of Puri Jagannath Temple opposing the decision of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) to open the ‘Ratna Bhandar’ of the 12th century shrine.

“A temple like the Shri Jagannath temple could have been built in 50 years at the cost of the ornaments, idols and other articles which were recovered from the Ratna Bhandara. Where are these items? All have been sold out. Rabi Shankar Panda, vice-president, Puja Panda Nijog told media persons here.

Taking a jibe at the Shri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) which has proposed the state government to open the Ratna Bhandara of the Lords by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to examine its condition, Panda said the Ratna Bhandara is near the sanctum sanctorum of the temple while the Jagmohan is another portion of the temple.

“We see a deep-rooted conspiracy is being by the temple administration in connivance with the state government to loot the priceless belonging of the Lords from the Ratna Bhandara which we are not going to allow them at any cost,” he maintained.

“It is quite unfortunate that the SJTA is attempting to explore the details of the inner precincts of the temple in the name of examination by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). We will not tolerate this at any cost and intensify protest in the days to come”, convener of the outfit Priyadarshan Patnaik said.

The newly reconstituted temple managing committee of SJTA in its first meeting on Wednesday had approved the decision to open the treasure trove of the three deities to assess its structural condition on March 26 and 27.

The move came following directions issued in this regard by Orissa High Court.

The ‘Ratna Bhandar’ was opened last time in 1984.