Puri, Sept 23 : The long-anticipated transfer of Lord Jagannath’s precious ornaments from the temporary treasury (Khosagaran) back to the main inner treasury (Ratna Bhandar) was successfully completed today, marking a historic and spiritually significant moment for devotees and temple authorities alike. The transfer process began at 10:55 AM on Tuesday and concluded smoothly at 2:55 PM.
Following the transfer, the inner Ratna Bhandar was sealed securely with two locks, the keys to which have been deposited in the District Treasury. The entire operation was conducted in strict adherence to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the government, and was fully documented via videography to ensure transparency and accountability.
During the transfer operation, access to the main temple (Garbhagriha) and the Jhulan Mandap was temporarily restricted for devotees. Parikrama (circumambulation) around the sanctum sanctorum was also suspended as a security measure. These restrictions remained in place until the transfer process was completed in full.
An 11-member authorized team, including retired Justice Biswanath Rath, oversaw and executed the operation from within the temple premises. Once the process was completed, the temple was reopened to devotees and darshan (viewing of the deities) resumed as usual.
This marks a major milestone in the recent history of the Jagannath Temple. During the 2024 Rath Yatra, after the Ratna Bhandar was opened on July 14, ornaments from the outer treasury were first moved to the Changada Ghar (ornament storage room). However, due to a malfunctioning lock, the inner store could not be accessed using the key from the District Treasury. The lock was subsequently broken on July 18, and the ornaments were temporarily kept in a secure room located ten feet away from the inner Ratna Bhandar.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had commenced structural conservation work of the Ratna Bhandar on December 17, 2023, and successfully completed the restoration on July 7, 2024. The return of the ornaments to the original treasury following this restoration not only reinstates the sanctity of the sacred storehouse but also marks the culmination of meticulous administrative and religious planning, ending a long period of anticipation for millions of Jagannath devotees.
