‘No secret chamber found inside Jagannath temple’: why the claim was made, how ASI surveyed shrine

Why were the claims of a ‘secret chamber’ in the temple being raised, and how was the survey carried out? We explain.

Myth of the hidden chamber in Jagannath temple 

Among the many myths about the Ratna Bhandar of the shrine is the existence of a secret tunnel or chamber. Despite no documentary evidence, stories have persisted about the erstwhile kings of Puri building a hidden chamber to safeguard Lord Jagannath’s jewels from invaders.

Over the past decades, the rumours gained strength as the inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandar was not opened for over 40 years.

What led to the technical survey?

As the Odisha government opened the treasury after 46 years in July this year, demands were raised from various quarters, including from the servitors of the temple, for a detailed survey to find out about the hidden chamber.

Puri’s erstwhile royal Dibyasingha Deb, chairman of the shrine’s managing committee, stated that the ASI would use a highly sophisticated instrument to do laser-scanning and clear the air about the chamber.

Though such a technical survey was not part of the standard operating procedure (SOP) prepared by the state government, the temple administration sought the government’s approval considering the widespread demand. Once the approval was granted, it wrote to the ASI to carry out the survey.

What was done during the technical survey?

On September 18, a 17-member technical team led by ASI additional DG Janhwij Sharma accompanied by temple officials entered the treasury for the technical survey and inspected the chamber for around 3 hours, from 2 pm till 5pm. They conducted laser scanning, a process to map and visualise the 3D geometry of a structure. The team also physically inspected walls, roofs and floors of the treasury and recommended a second round of investigation with a ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey.

This was done on September 21 and 22, when experts from NGRI, Hyderabad carried out the GPR survey for around eight hours. A GPR survey is used to map and assess the layers, structures, and other aspects below the surface of the ground.

The NGRI team brought sophisticated machines with frequencies of 200, 400 and 900 MHz, which were used to gather data up to 10-metre down the floor. The NGRI team processed the data for over 10 days and submitted its report to the ASI.

Preliminary findings

Though the ASI is yet to submit the final report, the Odisha law minister said preliminary consultations with the ASI suggest there is no hidden chamber inside the Ratna Bhandar. The survey, however, helped the government to detect in detail the cracks inside the treasury, based on which the ASI, custodian of the shrine, will carry out conservation measures.

Another myth related to the Ratna Bhandar

Another myth is about a group of serpents guarding the deities’ valuables inside the treasury. There have been claims of hissing sounds emanating from the inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandar.

The rumours resulted in the government deploying a team of snake helpline members within the temple premises when the Ratna Bhandar was opened on July 14. The team which entered the treasury, however, said they didn’t come across any snakes, reptiles or insects inside the treasury.