Counting Work Temporarily Suspended Amid Heatwave and Upcoming Jagannath Festivals

The inventory and counting process of the Ratna Bhandar of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration will be temporarily suspended from Saturday and resumed again in June, informed Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhi.

Sharing an important update regarding the ongoing Ratna Bhandar inventory process, Dr. Padhi said the entire exercise has been progressing smoothly, transparently, and in accordance with the guidelines approved by the Odisha Government.

“A Divine Experience,” Says Arabinda Padhi

Dr. Padhee described the Ratna Bhandar counting process as a “divine experience” for everyone associated with it.

He stated that the work has been possible due to the blessings of Lord Jagannath, along with the guidance of the Gajapati Maharaja, support from the high-level and management committees, and cooperation from the district administration, police officials, associated officers, and servitors.

According to him, the process has been carried out with complete transparency and proper coordination among all stakeholders.

Counting Work to Continue on May 23

The SJTA chief administrator informed that the counting work scheduled for May 23 would continue as planned under the existing arrangements.

However, from the following day, the present phase of the Ratna Bhandar inventory process will be temporarily halted.

Decision Taken Keeping Heatwave and Festivals in Mind

Officials said the decision was taken considering several factors, including:

• Severe heatwave conditions across Odisha
• Increasing crowd of devotees at the temple
• Upcoming festivals of Lord Jagannath
• Preparations for Snana Purnima and Rath Yatra

Dr. Padhee said planning for the next phase of the inventory process would require further discussions and coordination.

Meetings of Nijogs and Committees to Begin Next Week

He further informed that meetings of the Chhatisha Nijog, management committee, and various sub-committees would be held continuously from next week to plan the next phase of the inventory process.

The Ratna Bhandar counting and inventory exercise is considered one of the most significant and sensitive administrative activities associated with the Jagannath Temple in Puri.

Inventory Process to Restart in June

Following the temporary suspension, the next phase of the Ratna Bhandar counting process is expected to restart in June after completion of planning, coordination, and festival-related arrangements.

Temple authorities have assured that the process will continue in a systematic and transparent manner in the coming phase as well.

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Counting of Sacred Ornaments Begins Again

The process of counting and verification of precious ornaments stored inside the Ratna Bhandar of the Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri has resumed from today. The exercise, which was temporarily paused due to the ongoing Bahara Chandan Yatra rituals, will continue for two days as per official confirmation.

Shri Jagannath Temple Chief Administrator Aravind Padhee has stated that the counting work will be carried out today and tomorrow, ensuring that the temple rituals remain uninterrupted.

Earlier Suspension Due to Ritual Activities

The inventory process was halted earlier to avoid any disruption in the daily rituals of Lord Jagannath. Authorities emphasized that maintaining the sanctity of temple traditions was a priority during the Bahara Chandan Yatra period.

Progress of Previous Counting Sessions

Before the pause, significant progress had already been made. Over nine days, approximately 57 hours and 8 minutes of counting were completed. During this phase, more than 120 ornaments were inventoried, covering nearly 20% of the inner Ratna Bhandar collection.

Out of the nine days of work, four days were dedicated to the inner chamber alone.

Systematic Inventory and Classification

The inner Ratna Bhandar was opened on April 13 after the completion of the outer chamber inventory. Officials compared the ornaments with the 1978 inventory list to ensure accuracy and authenticity.

Gold ornaments were stored in yellow bags, while silver items were placed in white bags. These were then sealed in steel boxes and kept inside wooden chests. Each box has been tagged with brass identification labels to ensure easy future verification.

Advanced Techniques Used for Verification

To ensure precision in identification, gemologists and expert jewel analysts were engaged in the process. They used advanced modern equipment for examining and categorizing the ornaments.

The third chest of the inner Ratna Bhandar was opened during the process. The first chest has already been fully verified and sealed, while the second and third chests were also examined.

Complete Match with 1978 Records

According to temple officials, the inventory details match 100% with the 1978 records. Each ornament was identified based on serial numbers and documented carefully.

The process also includes photography, videography, 3D mapping, and creation of an e-catalogue for future reference.

Authorities have stated that the ongoing inventory process is being conducted in a highly structured and transparent manner. With advanced documentation and expert supervision, the temple administration aims to preserve the sacred heritage and ensure accurate records of the priceless treasures of Lord Jagannath.

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