Repair works of Ratna Bhandar completed: ASI
The ASI is the custodian of the 65-metre-tall imposing temple in the seaside town. 'By the infinite grace of the Lord, the conservation and renovation work of the Ratna Bhandar, both outer and inner, has been completed today,' Padhee told reporters. The outer chamber is regularly used to store and retrieve ornaments for daily rituals and festivals. The most valuable ornaments made of gold and diamond are kept in the inner chamber, which had not been opened for 46 years due to concerns about its structural integrity and the need for repairs.
The inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandar was reopened in 2024 for an inventory of valuables and the repair of its structure. The conservation work was carried out by the ASI for about 333 hours over a period of 95 days. As many as 80 people worked to conserve the Lord's treasury, said Padhee.
About the inventory of valuables in the Ratna Bhandar, Padhee said the works related to it will begin only after the permission of the State government. The Jagannath temple in Puri functions under the Law department of the Odisha government.
Jewellery and other precious items stored in iron chests and almirahs were shifted to temporary strong rooms inside the temple in two phases in July last year when the Ratna Bhandar was reopened after four decades.
The valuables will be taken inside the Ratna Bhandar shortly, since the repair is now complete, the SJTA Chief Administrator said. The last inventory of the Ratna Bhandar was prepared in 1978.
Padhee said the repair and conservation works were carried out as per the State government's prescribed guidelines. 'By the grace of the Lord, the repair work was completed before Niladri Bije of deities on July 8,' he said. 'Niladri Bije' refers to the return of the sibling deities - Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath - to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, markingconclusion of the Rath Yatra festival.
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Which are the historical/cultural sites often called as a part of 'The Diamond Triangle': (a) Ratnagiri, Udaygiri, and Lalitgiri (b) Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda (c) Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Elphanta Caves (d) Brihadeeswarar Temple, Meenakshi Temple, Chidambaram temple (Sources: Evidence, not politics, must shape the story from Keezhadi, Political battle over Tamil Nadu history escalates', Proximity to Madurai put Keeladi on archaeological map, the findings there took village to centre of Tamil consciousness,The 'rediscovery' of Sangam literature) ALSO READ: Proximity to Madurai put Keeladi on archaeological map, the findings there took village to centre of Tamil consciousness Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for June 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
