Bhubaneswar,(Orissa Today), July 15: The reopening date of Bhitara Ratna Bhandar, the inner chamber of the treasury at Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, will be announced after the annual journey of the Lords concludes, stated Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Monday.
He emphasized that the focus is currently on inventorying the valuables, and decisions regarding the opening and transfer of these valuables will follow soon.
The inner chamber was recently reopened after 46 years by breaking open three locks on Sunday. This action has reignited concerns about the disappearance of keys in April 2018, during a previous unsuccessful attempt to open the Ratna Bhandar for structural inspection under the previous government.
Justice Biswanath Rath, chairing the high-power committee overseeing the inventory and conservation of Ratna Bhandar, clarified that of the three locks in the inner chamber, only one was sealed. Following standard operating procedures (SOP), the committee had to break the locks to gain entry.
The operation involved ODRAF personnel equipped with flashlights, cutting tools, and other necessary equipment.
Inner Ratna Bhandar reopening date soon, says Odisha Law Minister
