Bhubaneswar: Amid growing demand for opening the Ratna Bhandar of Jagannath Temple in Puri, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has informed the Orissa High Court that it needs urgent conservation work.
Speaking to media persons on the affidavit filed by the ASI in the High Court on a case pertaining to the temple treasury, Dibisad Gadanayak, Puri Zone Superintending Archaeologist of ASI said the Ratna Bhandar was last opened and complete inventory done in 1978. Though it was again opened in April 2018, the 16-member team including experts of the ASI had entered only the outer chamber.
“During the inspection in 2028, the team had found stone fragments, which had fallen off the walls, on the ground inside the Ratna Bhandar. The wrought iron used as support to the ceiling had become weak. There was water seepage marks on the walls,” he said.
“No conservation work has been taken up since 1978 and the assessment team had reported its condition weak in 2018. Meanwhile, 5 years have passed without any assessment. Considering these factors, the ASI has mentioned in the affidavit that the conservation work of Ratna Bhandar is not only necessary but also urgent,” Gadanayak added.
He further said the ASI has told the High Court that it is ready to carry out inspection and necessary conservation work as per its instructions. But it should be taken up urgently as no inspection has been made for the last 5 years, he added.
On August 4, the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee recommended to the state government for opening the Ratna Bhandar of the 12th century shrine during Rath Yatra next year.
