Ratna Bhandar Reopens in Puri; External Chamber Inventory Underway

Puri: The Ratna Bhandar of Srimandira reopened on Thursday, with authorities commencing the inventory process of the temple’s external chamber as part of the ongoing assessment.

According to reports, the second phase of the inventory focuses on the outer chamber. Officials informed that around 20 percent of the inventory work was completed on the previous day. The exercise will continue for four days this week and another four days next week.

Temple authorities have clarified that all rituals of the deities will continue without disruption during the inventory process.

However, certain arrangements have been put in place for devotees. Entry for darshan from the ‘Bhitara Katha’ has been restricted, and devotees are now allowed to have darshan from the ‘Bahara Katha’.

The entire inventory process is expected to be completed before Mahaprabhu’s Snana Yatra this year. Officials also stated that the current findings will be compared with the 1978 inventory records, following which a comprehensive and updated list will be prepared.

To ensure proper documentation, photography, videography, and 3D mapping of the inventory process of the outer chamber are being carried out.

Earlier, the inventory of the Chalanti Ratna Bhandar was completed on March 25. After the completion and reconciliation of the external inventory, the process will move to the internal treasury in the next phase.