Bhubaneswar, Aug 7: Three days after the Jagannath temple managing committee recommend the Odisha Government for reopening of the 'Ratna Bhandar' during next Rath Yatra in 2024 for its structural inspection, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in an affidavit filed before the Orissa High Court in Cuttack on Monday stated there is a need for immediate conservation of the 'Ratna Bhandar'.
Sources revealed that the ASI had stated that during an inspection in 2018, officials had found certain indications that implied 'Ratna Bhandar' needs immediate conservation. However, the ASI clarified that it would act as per the directive of the Orissa High Court, sources added.
Worth mentioning that the 'Ratna Bhandar', was last opened in 1985, but the latest inventories of the valuables were made in 1978.