Jagannath Temple: The Ratna Bhandar of the Jagannath Temple in Bhubaneswar, which has been sealed for the past 40 years, is finally set to be opened. This development comes as a committee, including former Supreme Court judges, has been formed to oversee the inventory of precious items stored within this secretive chamber.
Jagannath Temple
In India, the pilgrimage to the four Dhams holds immense religious significance, with Jagannath being one of them. The Jagannath Dham is currently in the spotlight due to the impending opening of its Ratna Bhandar. This chamber has been sealed for four decades, and efforts are now underway to catalogue the treasures it contains. To ensure transparency, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has established a special committee, which includes several former High Court judges. This committee was formed following directives from the Odisha High Court.
Government’s Role in the Process
During the tenure of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the Odisha government also formed a committee to oversee this process. This committee, headed by retired Supreme Court judge Arijit Pasayat, comprised 12 members tasked with monitoring the inventory of jewellery and other valuable items stored in the Ratna Bhandar.
 Ratna Bhandar’s Closure
In April 2018, the Odisha government, following instructions from the High Court and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), ordered the opening of the Ratna Bhandar. However, the operation was halted when the key to the store was found missing. Despite extensive investigations, the key remains lost. The missing key issue gained significant attention during the recent elections, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi also commenting on it. There was a demand for a judicial report on the matter. Now, the government is finally poised to unveil the secrets hidden within the storehouse, with an inventory of its contents to be prepared soon.
Treasures Hidden in Ratna Bhandar
The Ratna Bhandar is believed to house treasures dating back approximately 862 years. It is said to contain the gold ornaments of the three deities of the Jagannath Temple: Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. In addition to these ornaments, numerous precious utensils are also stored here. The chamber has been sealed for 40 years, but preparations are now underway to open it and reveal its contents.
The reopening of the Ratna Bhandar marks a significant event for the Jagannath Temple and its devotees. With committees in place to ensure transparency and the preparation of a detailed inventory, the treasures of the Ratna Bhandar are set to be unveiled, ending a 40-year-long wait and potentially revealing artifacts of immense historical and cultural value.
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