Bhubaneswar, Nov 1: Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan announced on Friday that there are no secret tunnels or chambers within the Ratna Bhandar (treasure trove) of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha.
In a media briefing, Harichandan explained that the preliminary report from the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) indicates no hidden tunnels or chambers in the temple’s treasury. “This will be confirmed once we receive the final report. The survey has been useful in identifying cracks within the Ratna Bhandar,” he stated.
The GPR survey was conducted amid ongoing speculation about the existence of a secret chamber containing valuable jewelry. Harichandan mentioned that an inventory of the valuables will take place once necessary repairs are completed.
“Due to the heavy influx of visitors during the holy month of Kartika, it is currently unfeasible to conduct repair work. The ASI plans to address the cracks after Kartika Purnima, with repairs expected to be finished in one to two months. Once the repairs are completed, the valuables will be returned to the treasury, and their inventory will begin in the New Year,” he added. The final report is expected to be available within the next seven days.
Ratna Bhandar investigation: Law Minister assures no hidden chambers detected
