Odisha Government Launches Historic Inventory of Jagannath Temple's Ratna Bhandar
In a significant development, the state government of Odisha commenced a meticulous inventory of the Ratna Bhandar at the revered Jagannath temple in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. This marks the first such audit in nearly 48 years, with the previous one conducted back in 1978. The newly compiled list of the shrine's precious jewellery is being rigorously cross-checked against historical records to ensure accuracy and transparency.
Categorization of Valuables and Initial Audit Process
The valuables stored in the Ratna Bhandar are traditionally classified into three distinct categories based on their ceremonial usage for the deities. Jewellery that has remained unused for an extended period is securely housed in the inner chamber. Ornaments reserved exclusively for major festivals or annual ceremonies are kept in the outer chamber, while articles designated for daily rituals, known as the Chalanti Bhandar or living chamber, are stored within the outer chamber.
On the inaugural day of this exercise, a specialized 13-member team undertook the inventory of daily-use ornaments linked to the Chalanti Bhandar. This team comprised temple officials, skilled goldsmiths, expert gemologists, a representative from the Reserve Bank of India, and members of the high-level Ratna Bhandar committee.
Progress and Digital Cataloguing Efforts
Arabinda Kumar Padhee, the chief administrator of the temple, provided insights to reporters, stating, "Approximately 80% of the jewellery in the Chalanti Bhandar has been successfully counted and tallied with previous records. In adherence to the standard operating procedure, we are creating a comprehensive digital catalogue of these valuables. This involves detailing their names, types, and weights through extensive photography, videography, and advanced 3D mapping techniques."
Authorities have opted not to disclose specific details regarding the jewellery audited on the first day. The inventory session commenced at 12:09 PM and concluded at 6:30 PM. Temple officials confirmed that no inventory activities will be conducted on Thursday, with the next date for resuming the process to be announced shortly.
Historical Context and Previous Audit Details
The last inventory of the Ratna Bhandar was carried out between May 13 and July 23, 1978, spanning a total of 72 days. Records from that extensive audit documented a substantial collection, including 454 gold items with a combined weight of 12,838 bharis (where one bhari is approximately 10–11 grams) and 293 silver items weighing 22,153 bharis.
Further breakdown reveals that the inner chamber at that time contained 367 gold ornaments, such as necklaces, chains, and crowns, totalling 4,364 bharis, alongside 231 silver items weighing 14,878 bharis. The outer chamber housed 87 gold items weighing 8,474 bharis and 62 silver items with a weight of 7,274 bharis.
This current inventory initiative underscores the government's commitment to preserving the cultural and religious heritage of the Jagannath temple, ensuring meticulous documentation and safeguarding of its invaluable assets for future generations.
