Repair Of Puri Jagannath Temple Ratna Bhandar To Be Completed By March: Minister

Puri: The repair work of the Ratna Bhandar (treasury) of Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri is likely to be completed by March, this year, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said on Tuesday.

Stating that the repair work has made good progress so far, the Minister told reporters that the repair work has been temporarily suspended to ensure smooth and hassle-free Makar Sankranti rituals. The work will resume from January 17.

Though the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had sought three months to complete the repair work, the entire process is expected to be over much before the timeline set by them, he said.

All efforts are being made to complete the repair work before the set deadline, Harichandan said, adding that the work is likely to be completed by March this year.

Once the repair of Ratna Bhandar is completed, the inventory of all valuables and ornaments of the sibling deities will be taken up. The valuables, including previous ornaments, gems and jewelleries of the Ratna Bhandar which have been kept at a temporary strong room inside the temple complex will be taken back to the treasury.

Thereafter, the counting of precious gems and ornaments will be undertaken, the Minister said.