Outer Treasury Audit Concludes After Four Days
The second phase of the inventory process of precious ornaments in the Ratna Bhandar of Jagannath Temple has been successfully completed. The counting and verification of ornaments stored in the outer chamber concluded after a meticulous four-day exercise.
According to officials, all ornaments listed in the 1978 inventory register have been verified and matched. Interestingly, a few additional ornaments beyond the 1978 list were also discovered during the process. These newly identified items have now been incorporated into the updated 2026 inventory list. Authorities confirmed that all ornaments have been digitally documented for better record-keeping and transparency.
Three Items Missing, Concerns Raised
Despite the successful completion of the outer chamber audit, concerns have emerged over three items that were not found during the counting. While additional ornaments were discovered, the absence of these three items has raised questions.
However, Ratna Bhandar Mekap servitors have stated that the missing items are likely located within the inner treasury. Clarity on this matter is expected once the inner Ratna Bhandar is opened.
Inner Treasury to Be Opened Soon
The inner Ratna Bhandar is scheduled to be opened on Monday, with the keys to be brought from the district treasury. Officials stated that the process will follow strict protocols, with daily sealing and re-depositing of keys in the treasury after each session.
Authorities believe that the missing ornaments may be located during the inspection of the inner chamber.
High-Level Committee Oversaw the Process
The entire inventory exercise was conducted under the supervision of a high-level committee. Key officials present included Chief Administrator Dr. Arvind Padhee and committee chairman Justice Biswanath Rath, along with senior administrative and police officials, servitors, and members of the Ratna Bhandar sub-committee.
The team assembled at the temple office and entered the temple premises in the morning to carry out the process. The Ratna Bhandar doors were opened around 11:30 AM, and the counting of the remaining ornaments in the outer chamber was conducted systematically.
Process Completed Under Tight Security
After the completion of the counting process, the Ratna Bhandar was sealed in the presence of a magistrate at around 6:35 PM. All recorded data, including digital chips containing documentation, were securely stored in the temple office strong room under official supervision.
The next phase, involving the opening and inspection of the inner Ratna Bhandar, is expected to provide further clarity regarding the missing ornaments.