Bhubaneswar, Feb 16: The counting and inventory of gold ornaments and precious jewels housed in the Ratna Bhandar of the Jagannath Temple will commence shortly, following a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at Lok Seva Bhawan.
Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, presented a detailed roadmap, informing that all preliminary formalities have been completed and the administration is fully prepared. Comprehensive repair and conservation of the inner and outer Ratna Bhandar chambers has been executed by the Archaeological Survey of India over 95 days, involving 333 hours of work.
A detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) prepared by the Temple Managing Committee awaits formal government approval. The process will be conducted with stringent security, transparency, and full documentation. Notably, the last inventory was undertaken in 1978; officials will match assets with those records and prepare an updated list supported by a digital photographic catalogue.
The meeting also reviewed Rath Yatra preparations, including proposals for plantation of phasi and sandalwood trees to ensure sustainable supply for rituals and chariot construction.
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