Puri: Following the counting of jewellery and ornaments in the Ratna Bhandar (Treasury) of the Shri Jagannath Temple, the inventory will be cross-verified against the 1978 list. Along with the cross-verification, all items will be weighed. Gemologists will identify the names of the ornaments; however, no monetary valuation will be carried out.
In a strictly sanctified manner, only authorised members — dressed in special traditional attire as a single dedicated unit — will participate in the jewellery counting process. Digital photography of all ornaments will be undertaken. After identification, counting, and weighing, each item will be wrapped in two to three layers of protective cloth and securely stored in chests. A Supervising Team and a Handling Team have been constituted for the counting and weighing process, and members of both committees have already received training. Every member involved in the process will meticulously follow each point of the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure).
This information was shared with the media by Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan after the final review meeting on the Ratna Bhandar jewellery inventory.
Minister’s Statement
Shri Harichandan stated that before commencing the jewellery inventory, the entire task has been surrendered at the feet of Lord Jagannath (Mahaprabhu). “He Himself will guide and accomplish His own work,” the Minister said.
The process is scheduled to begin on the 25th. The auspicious Mahendra Bela falls between 12:09 PM and 1:45 PM on that day. However, the Minister clarified that it is not possible to predict exactly when the entire counting process will conclude.
The SOP has been prepared keeping in mind that the daily Niti Kanti (ritualistic services) and devotees’ darshan should not be disrupted during the ornament counting. Two gemologists will be deployed to identify the jewellery. The name of every ornament will be clearly written on the respective chest. Along with digital photography, a detailed catalogue of data will be maintained, the Minister added.
Comparison with the 1978 Inventory
During the 1978 inventory, the counting process had taken 72 days. The list from that exercise is still available. Therefore, cross-verifying the current inventory against the 1978 records is of paramount importance in order to dispel all doubts that have arisen regarding the status of the jewellery and ornaments inside the Ratna Bhandar.
While a list of ornaments was prepared in 1978, no gemologist was involved at that time. This time, gemologists will identify each ornament and provide its proper name.
Sequence of Counting
The inventory will follow a phased approach:
- Chalanti Bhandar (the moving treasury containing daily-use ornaments) will be counted first.
- Bahara Bhandar (the outer treasury) will be counted next.
- Bhitara Bhandar (the inner treasury) will be counted last.
Handling Protocol
- Gold ornaments will be placed on yellow cloth, arranged systematically in boxes, and then stored in chests.
- Silver ornaments will be counted and handled on white cloth.
- Other ornaments will be counted and handled on red cloth.
Personnel Involved
The State Government has already provided a list of authorised Banias (traditional weighmen/assayers). The counting team will include Shri Mandir Banias, government bank assayers, gemologists, and RBI officials.
Operational Schedule
The counting process will remain suspended on Saturdays, Sundays, and special Niti Kanti days. On counting days, devotees will have darshan from the Bahara Katha (outer wooden barricade) only.
On the day of the inner Ratna Bhandar’s inventory, the key will be brought from the Treasury. It will be opened and locked in the presence of a Magistrate.
Review Meeting Attendees
Today’s final review meeting was attended by the Minister along with:
- Dr. Arabinda Padhee – Chief Administrator, Shri Mandir
- Justice Bishwanath Rath – Chairman of the High-Level Committee
- Divyajyoti Parida – District Collector and Deputy Chief Administrator, Shri Mandir
- SP Prateek Singh
- Other officials of the Shri Mandir Administration
- Members of the Shri Mandir Managing Committee
Prior to the review meeting, Minister Shri Harichandan visited the Shri Jagannath Temple and offered his obeisance to Lord Mahaprabhu.
