A comprehensive inventory of the priceless jewelry and valuables stored within the Ratna Bhandar, the treasure trove of the revered Puri Jagannath Temple, is slated to be completed in phases ahead of the next Rath Yatra festival in 2026. This significant move follows the finalization of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) by a high-level committee.
Phased Approach for Sacred Inventory
The inventory process will be conducted in a meticulous, three-phase manner to ensure minimal disruption to the temple's sacred routines. In the first phase, officials will catalog the valuables and ornaments used in the daily rituals of the Lords. Subsequently, the inventory will proceed to the outer chamber and finally the inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandar in the second and third phases, respectively.
Arabinda Padhee, the Chief Administrator of the Jagannath Temple, confirmed the developments after a key meeting of the committee in Puri on Saturday. "We have discussed various aspects of the inventory process and a draft SOP has been prepared," Padhee stated. "This draft will be presented to the temple managing committee for further deliberation." He emphasized that the physical counting will commence only after the state government grants its formal approval to the SOP and the scheduled dates.
Ensuring Ritual Integrity and Transparency
A paramount concern guiding the procedure is the uninterrupted flow of temple rituals and devotee darshan. Authorities have assured that the inventory exercise will be planned around the religious schedule to avoid any interference. To guarantee absolute transparency and accuracy, the process will incorporate expert oversight.
A senior official from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and goldsmiths affiliated with the State Bank of India (SBI) will be part of the inventory team. Every step of the verification will be meticulously videographed to create an indisputable record for future reference. The drafted SOP also clearly enumerates the officials authorized to be present during the inventory.
Historical Context and Recent Renovations
This impending inventory holds historical significance as it will involve tallying the current stock with the last recorded list from 1978. The Ratna Bhandar of the 12th-century shrine was opened in July 2024 after a gap of 46 years, responding to widespread calls to assess the safety of its structure and its contents.
Following this, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) undertook major structural repairs, which were concluded in July 2025. In September 2025, the valuables, which had been temporarily housed in other chambers, were safely returned to the newly renovated Ratna Bhandar, setting the stage for the long-awaited inventory. The committee spearheading this monumental task is headed by Justice Biswanath Rath.
