Jagannath Temple Managing Committee Approves SOP For Ratna Bhandar Repair, No Decision Yet On ‘Arpana Rice’

Puri: The Shree Jagannath Managing Committee on Monday approved the standard operating procedure (SOP) for shifting empty cupboards and chests before the repair work and conducting necessary scanning with the latest scientific tools of Ratna Bhandar of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.

Speaking to the media, chief administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Arabinda Padhee, five to six proposals were discussed in the crucial meeting. “All ornaments and valuables from the inner and outer chambers of Ratna Bhandar have been shifted to the temporary strongroom. Old articles like cupboards are still inside the inner chamber and these have to be shifted before the repair work. Similarly, discussion was held on the laser scanning and other scientific techniques to be used before the repair of the Ratna Bhandar,” he said.

He further said that the managing committee has approved the SOP for the same and it will submitted to the Odisha Government.

The SJTA chief administrator further informed that the committee also approved the draft Shree Jagannath Temple Land Management Rules and it will be implemented after a go-head from the government.

He said that the temple administration had received 35 air-conditioned mini e-buses under the ABADHA (Augmentation Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture) scheme. “These were provided by Odisha Bridge & Construction Corporation Limited. The meeting decided to move the Odisha government to hand over the buses to OSRTC or any other agency for their management. A proposal will be submitted to the state government for necessary decision,” he said.

On rice collected through ‘Arpana Raths’ during the tenure of the previous BJD government, Padhee said the managing committee has asked him and district collector to hold discussions with different Nijos engaged in service of the Lords and submit a suitable proposal with regards to it to the state government.

On Saturday, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan told mediapersons that the rice collected by ‘Arpana Raths’ is not fit for use and also cannot be offered to the deities. He added that government will take a decision on it after the temple management committee discusses the issue.

According to secretary of Mahasuara Nijog Narayan Mahasuara, only 4,000 quintal of the 14,000 quintal of rice collected during the drive have been used. The Nijog also expressed concern over the poor condition of the rice due to pest attack and proposed that these be distributed among the poor during a discussion with SJTA chief administrator last Thursday.