Puri: A special inventory of the Ratna Bhandar of Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri was conducted on Sunday during the ongoing Rath Yatra festival.
As part of the exercise, counting and weighing (Ganati, Manati) of ornaments from the treasury of the 12th century shrine were conducted on Sunday. The jewelleries used for the deities and those offered during Snana Purnima were examined and verified.
Officials said the process included the counting of sacred ornaments such as Rahu Rekha, gold Chita and silver Rasika, along with other items associated with the deities.
The ornaments were counted and weighed, while the entire process was video-graphed as part of the documentation exercise.
According to Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Arabinda Padhee, the jewellery was identified by experts in precious gems and ornaments during the process.
Chairman of the Ratna Bhandar inspection committee Justice (retd) Biswanath Rath said the counting exercise was carried out in accordance with standard operating procedures approved by the State government.
The counting of ornaments and other valuable items had reportedly remained suspended since May 23. As a result, the remaining jewellery and precious articles stored in the inner Ratna Bhandar are yet to be counted.
The SJTA is likely to decide the date for resuming the counting and assessment of the remaining valuables at a later stage. The latest exercise is part of the ongoing process to systematically document and assess the sacred ornaments and valuable items associated with the temple.
