Lord Jagannath's Ratna Bhandar safe, repair work almost complete: Puri's titular king
The Gajapati Maharaja inspected the Ratna Bhandar repair work being carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India, the custodian of the 12th-century shrine, for 11 months.
Besides him, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee and technical team members of the ASI entered the Ratna Bhandar and supervised both the outer and inner chambers of the treasury, which were in a dilapidated state.
Deb said the structural revamp and aesthetics of the Ratna Bhandar reflect Odisha's timeless temple architecture.
Around 600 stone slabs were replaced with new ones, replicating traditional design while reinforcing safety, the titular king told reporters outside the 65-metre tall imposing temple.
'Whatever little work is left is expected to be completed by Niladri Bije on July 8,' he said.
Deb said that after completion of the repair work, the SJTA, with permission of the state government, would undertake an inventory of valuables.
The Ratna Bhandar was reopened on Sunday after 46 years for an inventory of valuables and the repair of its structure, officials said.
The ASI began working inside the Ratna Bhandar in July 2024, when it was reopened after 46 years to prepare an inventory of valuables and repair its structure.
Sources said that a total of 14 beams have been repaired. More than 80 skilled craftsmen are engaged in the repair work of the Ratna Bhandar.
Padhee said that interior repairs are nearly complete, with final touches to the outer treasury expected within the next two days.
The outer and inner parts of Ratna Bhandar are being preserved by applying chemical coatings, he said while replying to a question.
He said there have been additions like new stainless-steel and Burma Teak wood security gates. The gate will have silver cladding later on, he said.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Ratna Bhandar repair likely to get over by Niladri Bije
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Nearly 600 new khondalite stones and 15 steel beams have been used for the ongoing repair of Ratna Bhandar, according to Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA). The conservation measures, which commenced on Dec 17, 2024, are expected to conclude by Niladri Bije on July 8. Puri's titular king and Lord Jagannath's principal servitor Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb inspected the work progress on Thursday and expressed contentment with the restoration results. "Ratna Bhandar, which was in urgent need of repair, is completely safe now. It looks beautiful now. The ASI has replaced about 600 stones. Damaged wrought iron beams have been replaced with stainless steel ones. Inventory of the jewellery of the deities will be carried out by the govt soon," Deb told reporters after his inspection. The ASI sources indicated that black granite stones have replaced the deteriorated floor in both inner and outer chambers of Ratna Bhandar. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, chief administrator of the SJTA, indicated that silver cladding will be applied to the new wooden doors of the Ratna Bhandar. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "There is a need to preserve the old stones and other ancient construction materials that have been removed," said renowned sand sculptor Sudarsan Patnaik, who is also a member of the 16-member Ratna Bhandar supervisory committee. The restoration efforts, which halted during the Chandan Yatra from April 29, recommenced on June 28, following the Rath Yatra when the deities visit Gundicha temple. The sibling deities will return to the sanctum sanctorum during Niladri Bije on July 8. "The ASI has also carried out necessary conservation of the sanctum sanctorum ahead of the deities' return," Padhee said.
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Lord Jagannath's Ratna Bhandar safe, repair work almost complete: Puri's titular king
Puri, The 'Ratna Bhandar' of Lord Jagannath Temple is safe, and the repair work of the chamber is almost complete, Puri's titular king, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, said on Thursday. Lord Jagannath's Ratna Bhandar safe, repair work almost complete: Puri's titular king The Gajapati Maharaja inspected the Ratna Bhandar repair work being carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India, the custodian of the 12th-century shrine, for 11 months. Besides him, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee and technical team members of the ASI entered the Ratna Bhandar and supervised both the outer and inner chambers of the treasury, which were in a dilapidated state. Deb said the structural revamp and aesthetics of the Ratna Bhandar reflect Odisha's timeless temple architecture. Around 600 stone slabs were replaced with new ones, replicating traditional design while reinforcing safety, the titular king told reporters outside the 65-metre tall imposing temple. 'Whatever little work is left is expected to be completed by Niladri Bije on July 8,' he said. Deb said that after completion of the repair work, the SJTA, with permission of the state government, would undertake an inventory of valuables. The Ratna Bhandar was reopened on Sunday after 46 years for an inventory of valuables and the repair of its structure, officials said. The ASI began working inside the Ratna Bhandar in July 2024, when it was reopened after 46 years to prepare an inventory of valuables and repair its structure. Sources said that a total of 14 beams have been repaired. More than 80 skilled craftsmen are engaged in the repair work of the Ratna Bhandar. Padhee said that interior repairs are nearly complete, with final touches to the outer treasury expected within the next two days. The outer and inner parts of Ratna Bhandar are being preserved by applying chemical coatings, he said while replying to a question. He said there have been additions like new stainless-steel and Burma Teak wood security gates. The gate will have silver cladding later on, he said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Time of India
Sheesh Mahal's Splendour Back To Life After Major Restoration
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You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi Sheesh Mahal's mirror mosaic work, though heavily damaged and hardly visible now, once reflected the opulence of Shah Jahan's vision. The garden layout and water channels in front of the palace were meant to evoke paradise, offering both respite and a display of dominion over nature. Although now largely abandoned, the garden retains its shaded trees, majestic parterre and several ruined structures, including Sheesh Mahal and the garden pavilion. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo Over time, the complex witnessed many historical events and rulers, gaining political prominence when Aurangzeb held his imperial coronation here. It also served military purposes during the 1857 Uprising when British forces camped in the garden and damaged parts of the structure. As part of its restoration plan, while Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) restored Sheesh Mahal's heritage elements, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) developed a Mughal-style Char Bagh landscape design facing the palace to complement the monument. The huge lawn and ornamental lights added a majestic touch to the place. Originally constructed of bricks and red sandstone, with entry gates in the east and west, the palace has an archway, flanked on either side by a three-arched dalan. Beyond the archway is a central hall with a compartment at each wing. Phase I of the restoration, carried out in 2024, included stabilising the structure. Under Phase II, which began this April, intricate floral painting and designs on the roof have been restored beautifully. ASI has also replaced damaged red sandstone with new ones closely resembling Mughal-era structures, undertaking lime punning with a mixture matching the original composition and redesigning fading patterns of walls. A spot visit by TOI revealed that the walls and roof have been neatly repaired. In the palace's central hall, however, the flooring continues to wear a raw look. Officials said the restoration was undertaken on the initiative of and under the direct supervision of LG Saxena. "After taking serious note of dilapidated and crumbling heritage structures, buried under silt and overgrown vegetation due to decades of neglect, during his visit to the site in Jan 2024, he tasked DDA with restoring the heritage site under the technical supervision of ASI," said a DDA official. Apart from the main complex, existing lawns have been enhanced with sandstone pathways and seating aligned with the heritage monument. To enhance the aesthetics, discreet landscape lighting has been provided, stated DDA. The official said the heritage fountain near the main structures will also be revived. After the inauguration, LG Saxena urged the people of Delhi to become stakeholders in maintaining the restored sites "to ensure that these priceless heritage monuments do not get encroached upon again and that they remain forever clean and green". CM Gupta took a jab at her predecessor Arvind Kejriwal, saying, "The former chief minister built a 'Sheesh Mahal' for his own comfort, but this govt has made a Sheesh Mahal for the people. This is the difference between the current and previous govts." Meanwhile, DDA has also restored a near-decayed historic baradari and three heritage cottages within Shalimar Bagh. "The structures were carefully restored using traditional materials like lime concrete, lime surkhi, lakhauri bricks, and natural binders such as gud, belgiri and urad to ensure authenticity and strength," stated DDA. After restoration, two of the cottages have been adaptively re-used for community-focused purposes. Readers Café Corner, a book café aimed at fostering literary engagement, and Café Shalimar, a cafeteria for park visitors, now occupy these spaces, reviving their relevance and making them hubs of cultural and social interaction. A smaller third cottage has also been restored and repurposed for contemporary usage for official purposes while preserving its unique architectural legacy. According to Shekhawat, the ministry is proactively working to protect and promote the country's rich heritage. "We are also assuring full support to DDA in protecting these heritage jewels."
