Bhubaneswar, (Orissa Today), July 4: The Ratna Bhandar (treasury) of Shree Jagannath Temple is unlikely to open on July 8 due to Rath Yatra, according to former Supreme Court Judge Justice Arijit Pasayat, who arrived in Bhubaneswar on Thursday. He leads a 12-member committee mandated by the Orissa High Court to oversee the inventory of the Ratna Bhandar.
“There is a crucial meeting scheduled tomorrow to finalize the modalities for inventorying the jewellery and other valuables in the treasury. The process will commence once the government decides to open the Ratna Bhandar. Opening on July 8 seems less likely due to Rath Yatra,” Justice Pasayat informed reporters.
He emphasized, “Whenever the government decides, the treasury will be opened.”
Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan indicated on Wednesday that a decision would be made soon, with an official announcement to follow. “Details regarding the process, modalities, and timeline for the inventory will be communicated through an official notification. Until then, please disregard rumors circulating on social media,” he cautioned.
Speculation heightened with Justice Pasayat’s visit scheduled for inventory work starting July 4. His itinerary includes a meeting of the Ratna Bhandar Inventorisation Committee on July 5 in Puri, participation in Rath Yatra celebrations on July 7, and inventory activities from July 8 to July 27, concluding in Cuttack.
