Puri: The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the inventory of the Ratna Bhandar of Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri has been finalised with the approval of the Odisha government.
The approved SOP was formally submitted before the sibling deities at the 12th century shrine before the much-awaited inventory process, Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Arabinda Padhee said.
The SJTA chief told reporters that the finalised SOP was discussed thoroughly by the high-level Committee, the law sub-committee, and subsequently by the Temple Managing Committee. The Law Minister had earlier reviewed the guidelines before final approval by the state government.
The Managing Committee will take a final call on the date and auspicious timing for the inventory of the Lord’s treasury. A detailed schedule has already been prepared, keeping in view the expected crowd of devotees. The process is planned to begin before Niladri Bije, Padhee said.
The entire process will be overseen by two teams, a supervising team and a handling team. The SJTA Chief Administrator will supervise the process. In his absence, the Deputy Chief Administrator will take charge, The Niti Administrator will supervise when both are unavailable.
The supervising team will consist of three members, while the handling team will have 10 members drawn from temple administration, sevayats, experts in ornament identification, and representatives from financial institutions, including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Representatives from State Bank of India (SBI) will also be included, with two selected from an approved list. Puri Gajapati Maharaja may be part of the handling team if he wants.
The entire inventory process will be conducted under CCTV surveillance, with complete videography and photography. All participants will be required to maintain strict confidentiality. Ornaments will be stored in separate, pre-prepared secure chests after documentation.
The inventory will be carried out in phases—first the section of Ratna Bhandar which is being reguaraly used, followed by the outer chamber of Ratna Bhandar, and finally the inner chamber of Ratna Bhandar. The key of the inner Ratna Bhandar will be deposited in the treasury at the end of each day and retrieved again for the next session.
Records from 1978 (which took 72 days) and ornaments traced to 1885 and 1982, will be cross-verified during the process.
During the inventory, devotees will be allowed darshan only from outside the sanctum. Only designated servitors will be permitted inside to perform daily rituals. The inventory will remain suspended on special religious days.
Once completed, the final inventory list will be submitted to the Temple Managing Committee and then forwarded to the state government.
The exact date and auspicious time for commencement will be announced after the next Managing Committee meeting, scheduled for next week.
