The Ratna Bhandar (treasure trove) of Lord Jagannath’s Srimandir will be opened on July 8. This was informed by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) superintendent DB Garnayak on Wednesday. According to Garnayak, inspection will be done on July 8.
The Ratna Bhandar will be opened in the presence of the core committee and technical committee. “As per the 2018 report, an inspection was done and cracks were observed, some stones had fallen and some iron rods were missing. The condition was not good.
In the laser scanning, cracks were detected in the outer wall and joints. Through these cracks, rainwater might be entering,” said Garnayak. It was alleged that there was water seepage inside Ratna Bhandar during monsoon season.
Sudarsan Pattnaik, a member of the Srimandir Committee, expressed shock over the previous BJD government’s dilatory approach to open Ratna Bhandar. “The Srimandir Committee had done an inspection and reported about seepage and other issues in 2018. Now six years have passed and when it was known that there was some problem in Ratna Bhandar, no step was taken despite letters by ASI.
Now, the laser scanning also detected cracks in Ratna Bhandar,” said Pattnaik. According to Pattnaik, “Keeping the temple safe is everybody’s responsibility. Action should be taken for the six-year delay.
I urge CM Mohan Majhi to take action and discuss the matter with ASI, the Temple officials and take appropriate decisions.” Shree Jagannath Temple Administration.