Unlocking Lord Jagannath Temple’s Ratna Bhandar After 46-Year Closure: What Lies Inside admin, July 14, 2024 The revered Ratna Bhandar – the treasury of Lord Jagannath temple in Puri, Odisha, was reopened after 46 years on Sunday. The reopening involved a team of 11 members formed by the state government. This team included Orissa HC judge Biswanath Rath, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief administrator Arabinda Padhee, ASI Superintendent DB Gadanayak, and a representative of Puri’s titular king ‘Gajapati Maharaja’. An official confirmed that the team will not immediately carry out the inventory of valuables. The Chief Minister’s Office marked the occasion with a statement on X, expressing the initiative to move forward on the wish of Lord Jagannath and the Odia community’s identity of ‘Odia Asmita’. The statement also mentioned the earlier opening of the gates of the Jagannath temple. Historical context was provided by Odisha Magazine, noting that Odisha’s King Anangabhima Dev donated 2.5 lakh madhas of gold for the preparation of jewellery for the almighty. The Ratna Bhandar consists of two chambers — Bhitar Bhandar (Inner Treasury) and Bahar Treasury (Outer Treasury). The report mentions Suna Sribhuja and Sri Payar of Lord Jagannath and Balabhadra, along with close to 74 gold ornaments, each weighing more than 100 tolas, in the inner treasury. Additionally, the treasury contains plates made of gold, diamond, corals, and pearls, as well as over 140 silver jewellery. Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha