Puri: The ongoing inventorisation and counting of valuables in Ratna Bhandar (treasury) of Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri was suspended from May 24 in view of intense heatwave, heavy footfall of devotees, and preparations for upcoming rituals including Snana Purnima and preparations for the annual Rath Yatra.
Sources said that continuing the counting and documentation exercise under the prevailing extreme weather and mounting crowd pressure could create operational challenges and affect the smooth conduct of temple rituals and administrative activities.
According to chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration Arabinda Padhee, the process will resume in June after reviewing weather conditions and logistical requirements. “Since the Bitara Chandan Yatra will be underway, strategy for the next phase of the inventory process will be decided in consultation with Chhatisa Nijog and other and other related sub-committees,” he told the media.
With this, devotees can now have darshan of the sibling deities up close from Bhitara Katha inside the Jagamohan, the hall just outside the sanctum sanctorum. Darshan was available to the devotees only from the “Bahara Katha” in view of the security considerations during the inventory process.
The inventorisation process of jewelleries and valuables inside the Ratna Bhandar of the 12th-century shrine had resumed on May 19 after a weeklong pause. It continued on May 21 and May 23, when the counting process was held between 4.20 and 8.18 pm after the completion of Madhyahna Dhupa rituals. It was also scheduled to be held on May 26, May 28, May 29 and May 30. The process is being conducted under strict supervision, with video recording and adherence to government-issued Standard Operating Procedures.
So far, the inventory exercise, which resumed on May 11 after a brief pause during the Chandana Yatra, has completed nearly 20 per cent of the work. The team has documented more than 120 ornaments from the inner chamber in approximately 57 hours and 8 minutes of counting activity.
