As per the last inventory in 1978, cumulative weight of the gold ornaments in the three chambers is more than 214 kg apart from the silver ornaments weighing 352 kg.
BHUBANESWAR: Even as the Odisha Government has decided to reopen the Ratna Bhandar of Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri on Sunday, crores of devotees of the Holy Trinity as well as common people are waiting anxiously to know what treasures are stored in it.
Ratna Bhandar Opened after 46 years
Notably, the Ratna Bhandar is being opened after a gap of 46 years. The last inventory of the Lords’ jewelleries and valuables was done in 1978. According to reports there are three chambers in the Ratna Bhandar. The first one is never opened. The second one contains ornaments which are used only during festivals. The third chamber contains ornaments which are used for daily rituals of the Lords.
The Ratna Bhandar contains 454 types of gold ornaments which weigh around 214 kg. Besides, there are 352 kg. of silver ornaments. However, these are not the only ornaments stored in the Ratna Bhandar where counting was carried out at different times. The inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandar has been opened twice for counting and inventory.
128 Ram Abhisekh Mohar in Ratna Bhandar
Earlier, during the tenure of Puri Collector Charles Gomes, the Ratna Bhandar’s inner chamber was opened in 1805. In the list prepared, it was stated that there were 128 Ram Abhisekh Mohar, 24 gold coins, 1,296 silver coins, and 106 copper coins.
Besides, according to the Gomes report, there were also Mayura Chandrika, Surya Mukuta, Mayura Pankha, nose pins, tiger nail, and various other types of gold ornaments in the Ratna Bhandar. After India got Independence, the Odisha Government took over control of the Jagannath Temple according to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration Rules 1952 and counting was done again.
During the period, as per Laxman Panda report, there are two chambers of the Ratna Bhandar. It was stated that there were 150 types of ornaments in the outer chamber while the inner chamber had 180 types of gold and other precious ornaments out of which 64 were of pure gold. Some of the ornaments weighed more than 100 tolas. Besides, there are diamonds and other precious gems.
Last survey done in 1978
In the last survey done in 1978 as per the directions of then Governor Bhagwad Dayal Sharma, a six member committee was formed and an inventory was made of the ornaments in the Ratna Bhandar. The process was carried out for 71 days from May 13, 1978 to July 23.
According to the list, in the inner Ratna Bhandar there were more than 50 kg of Gold ornaments along with 173 kg silver ornaments while the outer chamber had 79 types of different ornaments weighing 81.75 tolas. The cumulative weight of the ornaments in the three chambers is more than 214 kg apart from the silver ornaments weighing 352 kg.