Odisha Govt To Make Public Full List Of Puri Jagannath Temple Ratna Bhandar Valuables: Minister

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government will make public a detailed list of all ornaments and valuables of the Ratna Bhandar of Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.

Devotees across the world will come to know about the details of the ornaments and other valuables. This information was shared by Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan in a written answer in the state Assembly on Saturday.

Stating that comprehensive details about the ornaments will be disclosed when the counting process is completed, the Minister said the last inventory check of the Ratna Bhandar valuables was conducted in 1978.

He said a methodical approach will be applied to the current task of documenting and counting, which will be taken up after the ongoing renovation and repair work of the treasury.

“We are committed to completing the ongoing renovation work and following it up with a transparent disclosure to the public regarding the inventory,” the Minister said.

These reassurances aim to address public curiosity and expectations regarding the contents of the Ratna Bhandar. The state government reiterates its dedication to ensure clarity and transparency once the current renovation activities are wrapped up.

It may be noted that the Ratna Bhandar of Puri Jagannath Temple was opened after a gap of over 45 years on July 14, 2024.

The Ratna Bhandar, which holds immense historical and cultural significance, houses priceless jewels, ornaments, and artefacts dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. The inner chamber, known as ‘Bhitar Bhandar,’ contains the most valuable items while the outer chamber, ‘Bahar Bhandar,’ stores ornaments used for routine rituals.

After the Ratna Bhandar was opened last year, all the valuables have been shifted to a temporary strong room located within the temple complex.