Historic opening of Bhitar Ratna Bhandar at Sri Jagannath Temple after 46 years

After a gap of 46 years, the Bhitar Ratna Bhandar of the 12th-century Sri Jagannath temple in Odisha was opened on Sunday, following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) finalized by the state government. An eleven-member committee, including key officials, entered the temple to access the Bhitar Ratna Bhandar, the inner compartment of the temple treasury.

The Ordeal of Opening the Bhandar

The committee encountered three locked gates, which had to be cut open in the presence of a magistrate as the keys provided by the administration failed to work. Inside, they discovered almirahs and treasure chests but had to leave them undisturbed due to time constraints.

The Bhitar Ratna Bhandar holds significant historical and cultural importance, containing valuable ornaments and jewelry. Before accessing this inner treasury, the ornaments and jewelry stored in the Bahar Ratna Bhandar, the outer compartment, were shifted to a nearby temporary strong room known as Changada Ghar, traditionally used as the storeroom for the deities’ clothes.

Ensuring Safety and Structural Stability

Chief Administrator of Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Aravind Kumar Padhi, who also served as the committee convenor, highlighted the paramount importance of ensuring the structural stability of the temple and its treasury. Although the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) superintendent was present with the team, the ASI will commence conservation work after the wealth from the Bhitar Ratna Bhandar is safely transferred to the temporary strong room.

Future Steps and Rituals

Padhi mentioned that a fresh inventory and tallying with the 1978 inventory will be conducted once the valuables are shifted. This meticulous process will ensure that all items are accounted for and preserved correctly.

The temple administration has a tight schedule with upcoming significant events: the Bahuda Yatra (return car festival) on Monday, Suna Vesh of the deities on July 17, and the Niladri Bije on July 19. These events further pressurize the administration to act swiftly and efficiently.

Divine Blessings and Rituals

Before entering the Sri Jagannath temple, the team offered prayers at the Gundicha temple and conducted a meeting at the Temple office conference hall to discuss the SOP. Permission from the deity, known as Ajnamallya, was obtained, and traditional rituals such as Chandi Patha (recitation of holy hymns of Devi Chandi) were performed to seek blessings for the success of the mission.

The team, led by Chief Administrator Arabind Padhi, Justice Biswanath Rath (Chairman of the Ratna Bhandar committee), Dr. C B K Mohanty, and other members, also offered prayers to Goddesses Vimala and Mahalaxmi. They then proceeded to the Ratna Bhandar site and, at the auspicious time of 1:28 PM, began the process of opening the treasury.

Preparedness and Government Assurance

The temple administration has prepared six large traditional wooden chests for storing the wealth, with nine more on the way. Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Hrichandan assured that everything would proceed according to the divine will of Lord Jagannath.

Justice Rath acknowledged the tight position of the temple and district administration due to the Rath Yatra schedule. A date for shifting the treasure from the Bhitar Ratna Bhandar to Changada Ghar will be decided after further consultation with relevant authorities.

This historic event marks a significant moment in the preservation and continuity of the rich cultural heritage of the Sri Jagannath temple, reflecting meticulous planning and adherence to traditional practices.