Bringing an end to a 46-year-long wait, the historic 'Ratna Bhandar' (Treasure Chamber) of the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, has been opened

 

 Reported by Sanchita chatterjee: Bringing an end to a 46-year-long wait, the historic 'Ratna Bhandar' (Treasure Chamber) of the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, has been opened. Due to the unavailability of the keys to the cupboards—and to ensure security—the locks of the Ratna Bhandar were broken open to gain entry, in the presence of a special committee. This step has been taken with the objective of creating an accurate inventory of the gems and ornaments housed within this invaluable treasury, as well as for the purpose of carrying out necessary repairs.

This marks the first time since 1978 that the Ratna Bhandar has been fully opened.

To undertake the renovation of the Ratna Bhandar and to conduct a physical verification (inventory) of the ornaments contained within it.

According to records dating back to 1978, the chamber houses 128 kilograms of gold, 221 kilograms of silver, and numerous precious gemstones.

 An updated inventory is being compiled without removing a single item from the gems housed inside the Ratna Bhandar.

The ornaments have been removed from their chests and temporarily relocated to a designated strong room.

The Ratna Bhandar primarily consists of three sections: the Inner Chamber (*Bhitar Bhandar*), the Outer Chamber (*Bahar Bhandar*), and the ornaments used for daily rituals.