Bhubaneswar, Aug 24 (PTI) – The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Saturday wrote a letter to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) appealing to start the inspection work of the ‘Ratna Bhandar’ of the 12th century shrine in Puri before starting the repair and renovation of the Lord’s treasury.
In a letter to the Director General of ASI, SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee requested the central agency to take over Ratna Bhandar and start survey and geophysical survey of the inner and outer chambers of the treasury of Jagannath Temple in Puri using latest technologies and also conservation, repair and restoration.
Since both the inner and outer chambers of the treasury are empty, the SJTA is of the view that inspection work is required as there are fears that there might be secret tunnels or chambers inside the Ratna Bhandar.
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The SJTA also requested ASI to get the necessary inspection work done by IIT or CBRI-like institutions having appropriate expertise while ensuring that there is no adverse impact on the 12th century shrine. Once the necessary survey and inspection work is completed, the repair work will begin, the SJTA letter said.
On Friday, all seven empty iron boxes and almirahs from Ratna Bhandar were shifted to a room near the Niladri Vihar Museum, located on the premises of the 12th-century shrine.
The jewellery and other valuable items kept in these containers were moved to temporary vaults inside the temple in two phases in July, when the Ratna Bhandar was reopened after 46 years for an inventory of valuables and repairs to the structure.
The empty iron boxes and the iron and wooden cabinets were moved in the presence of Justice Biswanath Rath, Chairman of an empowered committee, and other members of the panel.
The entire process was videotaped, Padhee said. After shifting the empty chests and cupboards, both the inner and outer chambers of the treasury were sealed. Similarly, the room where these containers were stored was locked and sealed, Padhee said. PTI AAM AAM RG
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