Puri Srimandir’s Ratna Bhandar Set for Opening and Inventory

The Ratna Bhandar of Puri Srimandir is scheduled to be opened on July 8th for a thorough inventory, which will continue for 20 days until July 27th. A meeting of the Ratna Bhandar monitoring committee is slated for August 5th.

The opening of the Ratna Bhandar was a significant issue during the elections, with the BJP accusing the BJD government of deliberately delaying it. Prime Minister Narendra Modi even claimed during his campaign that the key had been taken to Tamil Nadu by the BJD.

It was announced that the Ratna Bhandar would be opened after the new government took office. The ASI also hinted at the opening during the Rath Yatra. However, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan stated that a final decision would be made after further discussions.

The High Court is currently overseeing the matter and has requested an affidavit from the previous government. In response, the former administration indicated that the Ratna Bhandar would be opened during the 2024 Rath Yatra. A monitoring committee, chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Arijit Pasayat, was established to oversee the process.

According to the new government’s resolution, the committee, led by Justice Pasayat, will convene on August 5th. The opening of the Ratna Bhandar is planned to begin the day after Srigundicha, on August 8th, during which the inventory of the temple’s jewels will be meticulously conducted and documented.