Bhubaneswar/Puri: The inventory of Ratna Bhandar (treasure chamber) of Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri has so far matched the comprehensive 1978 audit list, senior temple officials said, putting to rest rumours of any missing valuables or irregularities.
Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhee stated that every ornament, comprising gold, silver, and precious gems, has been carefully cross-verified against its serial number from the decades-old record. “Each item has been meticulously verified against its serial number in the 1978 list, ensuring accurate identification and alignment with the historical record,” he emphasised.
The SJTA chief further stated that the counting on Sunday began at around noon with the opening of the door of Bahara Ratna Bhandar and continued till 7.25 pm. “Not a single discrepancy has come to light. The entire exercise is being conducted with utmost transparency, and we feel blessed for that,” he added, dismissing speculation about missing articles.
The process, which marks the first comprehensive audit of the temple’s priceless treasures in nearly 48 years, employs advanced documentation techniques including videography, high-resolution photography, and 3D mapping of each piece. All activities take place under strict CCTV surveillance and in the presence of authorised servitors, a magistrate, gemologists, and other experts, following a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to maintain sanctity and accountability.
Progress and Timeline
The inventory commenced on March 25, 2026, and has so far involved nine working days totalling 57 hours and 8 minutes. It has been temporarily paused to align with ongoing temple rituals and is expected to resume on or after May 11 during or following the Bhitara Chandan Yatra.
The audit of the Chalanti (living/daily-use) and outer (Bahar) chambers has been completed, with work now focusing on the inner (Bhitara) chamber, which houses some of the most valuable and rarely accessed items.
The previous inventory from May 13 to July 23, 1978, spanned 72 days. That exercise documented 454 gold items weighing 12,838 bharis (where one bhari is approximately 10-11 grams, or roughly 12.06 grams in some references) and 293 silver items weighing 22,153 bharis, distributed across the inner, outer, and chalanti chambers.
Broader Context and Significance
Ratna Bhandar, a 12th-century treasury, stores exquisite ornaments used for daily worship of the sibling deities, as well as grand festival adornments like those for Suna Besha and Rath Yatra. The phased approach—starting with daily-use items, followed by outer chamber festival jewellery, and now the inner sanctum—minimises disruption to temple rituals and devotee access.
