Ratna Bhandar repairs to be completed by January, says Odisha Law Minister

Bhubaneswar, Nov 18: Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Monday addressed concerns regarding the delay in the repair of the Ratna Bhandar, stating that the work, along with the inventory of valuables, will be completed by January next year.

Speaking to the media, Harichandan confirmed that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has begun preparations for the repairs and has been instructed to finish the work as quickly as possible. Once the repairs are completed, the temple's valuables, which were moved to strongrooms earlier, will be returned to the treasury, and the inventory process will begin in accordance with established temple protocols. The inventory work is expected to be finished by the end of January.

The ongoing repairs, which include fixing cracks on the Meghanad Pacheri (outer boundary wall), are anticipated to take over a month. The final inventory report will be issued after a review of the previous inventory list.

A meeting to assess the progress of the repair work will be held on November 20. The Ratna Bhandar was opened twice in July to transfer valuables and gold ornaments of the deities to strongrooms. The last time the inner chamber of Ratna Bhandar was opened was in 1978. A Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey by ASI in September revealed cracks in the temple's treasury but found no evidence of secret tunnels or chambers, as was speculated.