Row Over Opening Of Jagannath Temple Ratna Bhandara Intensifies

Puri: The ongoing row over the opening of Ratna Bhandara of Shri Jaganath temple in Puri has intensified with one of the servitors of the temple on Saturday appealing before the court of the district sub collector to grant him euthanasia.

Talking to media persons, the servitor Narasingh Pujapanda claimed that the authorities of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), in connivance with some officials of the Shri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), are conspiring to open the Ratna Bhandara of the Lords near the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.

I strongly condemn the conspiracy of the ASI which is hand in glove with some temple administrators to open the Ratna Bhandara on the pretext of repair. If the ASI is keen on opening the Ratna Bhandara by the order of the Orissa High Court, let it open in the presence of the members of the Chhatisa Nijog and the temple managing committee,” he pointed out.

He further warned that if his demand is ignored, he will opt for euthanasia and donate his organs among the needy.

It may be mentioned that the activists of Jagannath Sena had staged demonstration in front of the Simhadwara of the Shri Jagannath temple on February 22.

“A temple like the Shri Jagannath temple could have been built in 50 years at the cost of the ornaments, idols and other articles which were recovered from the Ratna Bhandara. Where are these items? All have been sold out. Rabi Shankar Panda, vice-president, Puja Panda Nijog had told media persons.

Notably, the Orissa High Court has directed the ASI to examine the condition of the Ratna Bhandara on March 26 and 27.

The Ratna Bhandara was opened last time in 1984.

Meanwhile, SJTA in a letter on Saturday has sought permission from the state government for the inspection of Ratna Bhandara.

Talking to media persons, Chief Administrator (Rituals), Pradeep Kumar Das said the members of a technical committee will carry out inspection to assess the structural condition of the inner chambers Ratna Bhandara. There will be no inspection of any articles or other things, he said adding that the temple administration will move ahead only after the state government gives permission.