After 4 decades, Jagannath temple’s Ratna Bhandar set to be opened next week

The precious ornaments of sibling deities — Hindu gods Jagannath, Balabhadra and goddess Subhadra — donated by devotees and erstwhile kings over centuries are stored in the Ratna Bhandar of the 12th century shrine. It is located within the temple and has two chambers — Bhitar Bhandar (inner chamber) and Bahara Bhandar (outer chamber).

While the outer chamber is opened regularly to fetch ornaments for the deities during the Suna Besha (golden attire) — a key ritual during the annual Rath Yatra, and also during major festivals throughout the year — last inventory of the lords’ treasury was done in 1978. Although it was opened again in 1985, no fresh inventory was done then.

According to the rules, approval of the state government is required for opening the Ratna Bhandar of the 12th century shrine. The proposal for this will come through the temple’s managing committee.

The newly formed BJP government, which made opening of the lord’s treasure house an election issue, is expected to give its approval on Wednesday.

Amid confusion over the availability of keys to inner Ratna Bhandar, Rath said it has been consensually decided that the inner Ratna Bhandar will be opened on July 14 regardless.

According to Justice Rath, the decision to open the Ratna Bhandar has two major aspects — ensuring the safety and protection of the valuables of gods and carrying out necessary repairs to the internal chamber.

Amid widespread demand and following directions from the Orissa High Court, the previous BJD government had unsuccessfully tried to open the Ratna Bhandar on April 4, 2018, due to the missing keys. This led to state-wide outrage.

A judicial inquiry was also ordered on June 4, 2018, to probe into the missing keys but the report of this is yet to be made public. Significantly, on June 13, 2018, the then Puri collector claimed that an envelope with the words “the duplicate key of inner Ratna Bhandar” written on it had been found in the record room of the collectorate, further escalating the row.

“The Puri district administration has been asked to submit the ‘duplicate key’ at any cost. Irrespective of whether the key will work or not, if the government approves, the Ratna Bhandar will be opened on July 14,” Rath said.