Ratna Bhandar repair to pause for nearly 2 months over major rituals, Rath Yatra

Bhubaneswar: Conservation and repair work of the Ratna Bhandar (treasury) of Puri Jagannath Temple will remain suspended from April 29 to June 27 in view of major rituals and festivals like Chandan Yatra, Snana Yatra, Anasara and Rath Yatra.

"The conservation work, which began on Dec 17, 2024, completed 193 hours and five minutes of operation until April 25, despite intermittent halts during specific temple rituals. Another 50 hours of work is pending, which will be completed after the Rath Yatra," said Arabinda Padhee, chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), after a high-level meeting on Saturday, which reviewed the ongoing repair work.

He said that repair work of the inner chamber of Ratna Bhandar is almost complete, with only some stonework and reinforcement left to be completed. "Granite flooring of the inner chamber is being done," he said.

Representatives from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), SJTA officials, Chhatisha Nijog members, Bhandar Mek, Tadhaukaran, Deulakaran, and other senior servitors attended the meeting. During the meeting, ASI representatives presented a detailed report on the progress of the conservation work.

The suggestion to temporarily halt the repair work was earlier submitted by the temple commander and Deulakaran, citing the upcoming rituals. Taking note of the suggestions, the emergency meeting was convened.

"Five stainless steel beams will be installed in the outer chamber of Ratna Bhandar to strengthen its structure. Substantial progress in repair work will be made from June 28 to July 6 during the Rath Yatra when the deities visit their aunt's house. ASI can carry out the repair work with fewer restrictions," Padhee said.

ASI sources said around 277 khondalite stones have been installed, including 148 inside the inner chamber. ASI has been following a scientific technique for repair of the 12th-century shrine as there were some cracks in the Ratna Bhandar walls, they added.