Sri Jagannath Temple to Begin Fresh Inventory of Ratna Bhandar Ornaments

Puri, Nov 22 : The Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri is set to undertake a fresh inventory of the precious ornaments stored in the Bhitar Ratna Bhandar soon after the Odisha government finalises and issues a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). The new stock-taking will be matched with the 1978 inventory, with all jewellery documented in a digital format for the first time.

During a meeting held on Friday, the Sri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (MC) emphasised completing the inventory before the upcoming Akshaya Tritiya. A proposal is also in the works to encourage devotees to contribute gold under the Subarna Alankar Daan Yojana to prepare an additional set of ornaments for the deities.

Meanwhile, silver plating of the Bahar Ratna Bhandar doors has already commenced. The committee also reviewed steps to bring over 18 tonnes of silver ingots recovered from Emar Mutt—currently under police custody—into temple accounts, subject to ongoing court proceedings.

The long-closed gates of the Gundicha Temple will be reopened soon, the MC informed.

Key issues discussed at the meeting included streamlining darshan through a queue system at the Natamandap, improving access for devotees, establishing Gurukul-style education for servitors’ children, allowing easier temple entry for local residents, and curbing ISKCON-sponsored untimely Rath Yatra events.

The committee approved a surplus budget of ₹104 crore for 2025–26. Several welfare measures for servitors were announced, including an increase in monthly pension from ₹4,000 to ₹5,000, marriage assistance for daughters of servitors from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh, and enhanced financial aid for thread ceremonies from ₹20,000 to ₹50,000.

The meeting was chaired by Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingh Deb, with Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee conducting the proceedings. Representatives from nearly all sub-committees were also present.