Bhubaneswar/Puri: The temporarily paused Ratna Bhandar repair work at Shree Jagannath Temple In Odisha’s Puri will be completed by Niladri Bije, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan informed on Saturday.
“The repairs, halted for the Chandan Jatra rituals, will resume during Rath Yatra when the deities embark on their annual sojourn. The goal is to finish the work between Rath Yatra and Niladri Bije,” he told reporters.
Rath Yatra is slated for June 27.
The Minister further stated that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Director General and his team recently assessed the progress of the repair work both at the 12th-century shrine and Ratna Bhandar. “Discussions also covered the preservation of the temple’s sanctum sanctorum (Garbha Griha) during Rath Yatra, ensuring no structural changes to the structure,” he said.
The temple administrator has briefed the ASI DG on the requirements and the expertise needed for its preservation, he added.
On Saturday, SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee held a high-level meeting with the Director General of the ASI, Yaduvendra Singh Rawat, and discussed collaborative steps to preserve the temple’s architectural heritage, structural integrity, and cultural significance.
Among the key topics discussed was the conservation and restoration work within the sanctum sanctorum of the temple to be taken up during Rath Yatra. Completion of balance conservation and repair works of the Ratna Bhandar, the temple’s treasure house, was also given priority.
