Puri: Public darshan at Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri will be restricted September 18 in view of inspection of Ratna Bhandar by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
According to Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), devotees will be barred from entering the 12th century shrine from 1 pm onwards for smooth conduct of the reconnaissance survey of inner and outer chambers of the Lord’s treasury. Dwarafita Niti (a ritual for opening the main entrance of the temple) will be performed at 2 am and Mangal Alati of deities has been fixed at 3 am.
However, the devotees can enter the temple through Singhadwar to purchase Mahaprasad.
Also Read: ASI To Conduct Reconnaissance Survey Lord Jagannath’s Ratna Bhandar On Sept 18
On September 18, ASI along with Hyderabad-based CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI) will carry out a preliminary examination of Ratna Bhandar. While a technical team of ASI will conduct a non-invasive technical assessment of the treasury to determine damages in the structure, CSIR-NGRI experts will examine the chambers to ascertain the geo-physical equipment, light and other elements required for conducting ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey in the treasury. The state government has approved a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the entire process.