Ratna Bhandar inner chamber to reopen on July 18

Bhubaneswar, July 16: The Ratna Bhandar's inner chamber is scheduled to reopen on July 18, as announced by Justice Biswanath Rath, chairman of the Ratna Bhandar inventorisation committee, following an emergency meeting. The decision comes after determining an auspicious time, avoiding the opening during Suna Besha on the previous day.

Scheduled between 9:51 am and 12:15 pm, the reopening aims to facilitate the shifting of valuables with meticulous attention to ritual protocols to ensure smooth proceedings.

During this period, access to the temple will be restricted to authorized personnel only, emphasizing the safeguarding of the treasure trove and its contents.

The reopening ceremony previously involved former Orissa High Court judge Biswanath Rath, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, chief administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), DB Gadanayak, superintendent of the ASI, and a representative of the titular king, Gajapati Maharaja of Puri.