Recently, the opening of the Ratna Bhandar of Jagannath Temple in Puri was done by the Odisha government after 46 years.
About Ratna Bhandar:
- The Ratna Bhandar is located on the northern side of the Jagamohana (assembly hall of the temple).
- It comprises two chambers:
- Bahar Bhandar (outer chamber)
- Bhitar Bhandar (inner chamber), which was inaccessible for 46 years.
- It houses the precious jewels of three sibling deities:
- Lord Jagannath,
- Lord Balabhadra, and
- Devi Subhadra.
- These treasures include jewellery offerings from former kings and devotees worldwide, accumulated over many centuries.
History and Legal Aspects:
- The last inventory was conducted in 1978, revealing holdings of 128.38 kg of gold and 221.53 kg of silver.
- The Ratna Bhandar’s contents and rights are documented under the Puri Sri Jagannath Temple Act of 1952.
- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) conducted a structural inspection in 2008 but did not access the inner chamber.
Ref: Source
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Ratna Bhandar in Jagannath Temple?
It is the treasure house located within Jagannath Temple in Puri, housing the precious jewels of the deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra.
What treasures are stored in the Ratna Bhandar?
It contains jewelry offerings from former kings and devotees worldwide, including significant amounts of gold and silver, collected over centuries.
When was the last inventory of the Ratna Bhandar conducted?
The last detailed inventory of the Ratna Bhandar was conducted in 1978.