Puri, May 27: The repair and preservation work at the Ratna Bhandar, the sacred treasury of the 12th-century Puri Jagannath Temple, which was temporarily halted, will be completed by Niladri Bije, Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said.
“The repair work was paused to accommodate the Chandan Jatra rituals of Lord Jagannath and His Holy Siblings. It will recommence during Ratha Jatra, when the deities are taken out of the temple. Our target is to complete all repair activities between Ratha Jatra and Niladri Bije,” the Minister stated.
He further informed that the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and his team recently reviewed the ongoing repair work at both the Jagannath Temple and the Ratna Bhandar.
“In addition, a detailed review was conducted concerning the preservation work planned for the Garbha Griha (sanctum sanctorum) during Ratha Jatra. Discussions focused on preserving the sanctity of the holy shrine without altering the temple’s original structure. The temple administration apprised the ASI DG about the temple’s specific needs and the expertise required for effective preservation,” Harichandan added.
The annual 11-day sojourn of Lord Jagannath is scheduled to begin on June 27 this year, with Niladri Bije rituals to be held on July 8.
The repair work at Ratna Bhandar commenced on December 17, 2024, but was temporarily suspended from April 29 to June 6, 2025, to accommodate key temple rituals including Chandan Jatra, Snana Jatra, and the upcoming Ratha Jatra.
