Ratna Bhandar Inventory Enters Second Phase at Jagannath Temple

Puri: The second phase of the inventory of ornaments and precious jewels in the Ratna Bhandar of Shree Jagannath Temple began on Wednesday, following approval from the state government and adherence to prescribed guidelines.

The inventorisation process resumed in the morning, focusing on the Bahara (outer) Ratna Bhandar. After the first day’s proceedings, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb informed mediapersons that the work is progressing smoothly.

“Everything is proceeding well with the blessings of Mahaprabhu,” he said.

The Gajapati Maharaja stated that after offering darshan, he personally inspected the Bahara Ratna Bhandar in the presence of members of the government-constituted committee, officials, and servitors. He added that the inventorisation is being carried out as per the standard operating procedure (SOP), with each item being documented using advanced 3D mapping technology to create a comprehensive digital record.

Clarifying the scope of the exercise, he said there is no plan to assess the monetary value of the ornaments. Instead, the focus remains on detailed documentation of each item for future reference. He further noted that the Bhitara (inner) Ratna Bhandar will be taken up after the completion of the Bahara inventory.

He also assured that there has been no disruption in darshan for devotees during the ongoing process. “There is no fixed timeline. The work will be carried out as per Mahaprabhu’s wish,” he said, adding that the inventorisation will not take place on festival days or during periods of heavy footfall.

As per the schedule, the inventory of the Bahara Ratna Bhandar will continue till April 11. The process will remain suspended on April 12 and resume on April 13. It will again pause on April 14 and 15 before continuing from April 16 to 18. Further phases of the exercise will be decided later.

The inventory exercise had originally commenced on March 25, when valuables stored in the Chalanti (current) Bhandar were inventoried and cross-verified with records from 1978. During that phase, ornaments were segregated, catalogued, weighed, and digitally documented for the first time using 3D mapping technology.