Jagannath Temple's Outer Treasury Inventory Reveals Increase in Ornaments
In a significant development for the Sri Jagannath Temple in Bhubaneswar, the high-level committee overseeing the inventory of the Ratna Bhandar (treasury) has completed the counting of precious ornaments and jewels in the Bahara Bhandar (outer treasury). The process, which concluded on Saturday, revealed that the number of jewellery items has increased compared to the 1978 inventory records.
Key Findings from the Bahara Bhandar Count
Justice Biswanath Rath, chairman of the high-level committee, confirmed to TOI that the inventory count in the Bahara Bhandar showed a rise from 118 ornaments in 1978 to 147 ornaments currently. "These include both gold and silver ornaments. All the ornaments are in good condition and this has been verified by the temple's Baniya sevayats who are a part of the inventory process," Justice Rath stated. However, three ornaments were not found during this count. The committee was informed that these missing items are located in the Bhitara Bhandar (inner treasury), and they will be accounted for when the inventory of that chamber begins.
Schedule for Bhitara Bhandar Inventory
Temple chief administrator Aravind Padhee announced that the inventory of the Bhitara Bhandar is scheduled to commence on April 13. The exercise will be temporarily suspended on April 14 due to Maha Bishuba Sankranti and will resume from April 16, continuing through April 18. This phased approach ensures that religious observances are respected while maintaining the integrity of the inventory process.
Detailed Inventory Process and Documentation
The counting of valuables in the Bahara Bhandar began four days prior to the completion, with sessions lasting over seven hours each day. The process was conducted in the presence of:
- Committee members
- Goldsmiths from the temple
- Gemologists
- Reserve Bank of India officials
To ensure accuracy and future reference, all items have been meticulously documented through digital photography, videography, and 3D scanning. A digital catalogue of the Ratna Bhandar valuables is being prepared, which will facilitate easier inventories in the years to come.
Classification of Precious Items in Ratna Bhandar
The Ratna Bhandar houses precious items categorized into three distinct groups:
- Never-used ornaments and jewels kept in the Bhitara Bhandar.
- Ornaments used exclusively during ceremonies or festive occasions, stored in the Bahara Bhandar.
- Daily-use ornaments of the three presiding deities, maintained in the Chalanti Bhandar.
This systematic classification helps in managing and tracking the temple's vast collection of religious artifacts.
Historical Context and Previous Inventory Data
According to the last comprehensive inventory of the Ratna Bhandar, conducted by a nine-member committee led by then governor B D Sharma from May 13 to July 23, 1978, the treasury contained:
- 454 gold articles with a net weight of 12,838 bharis (one bhari equals 10 grams)
- 293 silver articles weighing 22,153 bharis
These were distributed across both the Bahara and Bhitara chambers. Specifically, the Bahara Bhandar included:
- 79 gold items weighing 8,175 bharis
- 39 silver items weighing 4,671 bharis
The Chalanti Bhandar held:
- 8 gold items weighing 299 bharis
- 23 silver items weighing 2,693 bharis
Meanwhile, the Bhitara Bhandar accounted for:
- 367 gold items weighing 4,364 bharis
- 231 silver items weighing 14,878 bharis
The current inventory aims to update these records, reflecting any changes over the past decades and ensuring the preservation of this cultural heritage.
