Puri, Odisha.
All the doors of the Ratna Bhandar, the treasure trove of the Bhagwan Shri Jagannath Mandir, were opened this afternoon. A special team opened the Ratna Bhandar, which had last been opened in 1985, while the inventory of its jewels and other valuables was last conducted in 1978.
The Ratna Bhandar was opened following the Standard Operating Procedures issued by the state government. The entire proceedings of the opening of the Ratna Bhandar are being video recorded.
A temporary strong room with heavy security has been set up to keep the special boxes containing the jewellery of the Shri Jagannath Mandir. A detailed inventory of the Ratna Bhandar will be prepared. The inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandar at the 12th century Shri Jagannath Mandir boasts a collection of the rarest jewellery, including diamonds, gold, and precious gems. These treasures, donated over centuries by devotees and kings to Bhagwan Jagannath, are preserved and catalogued.
