Ratna Bhandar outer chamber inventory completed at Jagannath temple after 48 years

The inventory of the outer chamber of the Ratna Bhandar at the Jagannath Temple was successfully completed on Saturday, marking a crucial milestone in a process being undertaken after a gap of nearly five decades.

Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee confirmed that the second phase of the inventory , which began on April 8, concluded in the evening with the sealing of the treasury gate in the presence of a magistrate. The comprehensive exercise, which commenced on March 25, initially focused on the counting of daily-use ornaments of the deities . During the second phase, officials catalogued ornaments and jewellery used during major festivals , including those worn during the famed Rath Yatra, such as the ‘Suna Besha’ (golden attire).

The third phase , set to begin on April 13, will involve the inventory of the inner treasury , believed to house some of the temple’s most valuable and ancient treasures. The process will pause on April 14 on account of Mahabishuba Sankranti and resume from April 16 to April 18. Officials emphasised that the entire exercise is being conducted under strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) laid down by the state government. All authorised personnel adhered to traditional dress codes and underwent thorough security checks before entering the treasury.

To ensure transparency and accuracy , the inventory process has been meticulously documented using videography, photography, and 3D mapping technologies . A digital catalogue of the ornaments has also been created and securely stored in designated ‘sindhukas’ (treasure chests), with records preserved in the temple administration’s strong room. Despite the ongoing exercise, devotees were allowed darshan , albeit from outer barricades, ensuring that temple rituals and public access continued with minimal disruption.

The Ratna Bhandar inventory is a detailed audit and documentation of the treasures, ornaments, and precious items stored in the temple’s treasury. It involves physical verification, categorisation, and digital recording of each item to maintain an updated and secure record. Such inventories are rare and significant, especially for historic temples like the Jagannath Temple, where the treasury holds centuries-old artefacts of immense religious, cultural, and material value .

The ongoing exercise is seen as a major step towards enhancing transparency, preservation, and security of the temple’s priceless heritage.