Puri Jagannath Temple’s Ratna Bhandar restored, final phase nearing completion

Bhubaneswar, July 3: The sacred Ratna Bhandar (Treasure Chamber) of Lord Jagannath in Puri has been declared completely safe and secure, following a meticulous and large-scale renovation effort that is now nearing completion. With the Niladri Bije ritual—the return of the deities to the sanctum—approaching, temple authorities expect all remaining restoration work to conclude on time.

After conducting a personal inspection, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb expressed deep satisfaction with the quality and pace of the renovation. He praised the aesthetic transformation and structural safety of the Ratna Bhandar, noting that the work was carried out in keeping with the traditional Kalinga temple architecture. Over 600 new stones were installed, and all key beams were fortified to ensure long-term stability.

The Gajapati also announced that once the Ratna Singhasana (treasure throne) is restored, an inventory and verification of temple treasures will follow. Future restoration work will proceed as per the recommendations of the Odisha State Government.

More than 80 skilled artisans have contributed to this project, which included chemical treatment of both inner and outer structures, cleaning of Roop Dwaras, and replacing wooden elements with more durable stainless steel and teak wood. The temple's Chief Administrator also confirmed that outer renovations will be completed in the next two days, marking a major milestone in preserving this sacred heritage site.