‘Treasure trove’ of Puri Jagannath Temple, opened after 46 years in July, set for renovation

ASI Superintending Archaeologist D B Garnayak said they will set up the scaffolding first before removing the plasters from the walls of the treasury, which contains the jewellery and valuables of the Lords.

“The entire structure will be cleared and the repair of old iron beams and cracked stones will be undertaken. There are vertical cracks inside the treasure which will be repaired. Some of the stones and iron beams will be replaced while the floor will be covered with granite stones,” Garnayak told reporters.

Officials said the conservation works will continue along with other rituals of the sibling deities while the Puri district administration said they have made arrangements to ensure that the repair works will not affect the darshan by the devotees.

Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan told reporters that a specific time frame has been given to the ASI to complete the work, and added that the work started around 1 pm and will continue until 6 pm. He said the government is accountable to the people for the safety of the Lord’s treasury.

The ASI will take up conservation works of both the inner and outer Ratna Bhandar of the shrine, said the officials.

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. 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.

The expert team submitted its report, indicating cracks inside the treasury and recommended required repair works.

A month after the BJP assumed power in Odisha by dislodging Naveen Patnaik-led BJD, CM Mohan Charan Majhi-led BJP government opened the Ratna Bhandar in July, fulfilling one of the promises of the party during the Assembly elections.

The valuables have been shifted to two temporary places inside the temple, which will be moved back to the treasury following the repair and renovation works. The government will then take up the inventory work of the valuables.