The allure of ancient temples in India has always captivated people, with their treasures adding to the spiritual and cultural richness of these revered places. They also instill a deep faith in the supernatural power of the deity housed within. Legends speak of the treasure of Lord Jagannath Dham in Puri being guarded by serpents under the watchful eyes of Lord Loknath. Consequently, when the temple’s treasury doors were opened after 46 years, in deference to these beliefs, the administration enlisted numerous members of the snake helpline to be present. Additionally, the Puri District Hospital was prepared with ample stocks of anti-venom.
Despite no snakes being discovered inside the ‘Ratna Bhandar’, the entire team, including the District Collector, emerged with a profound and mystical experience.
Indian Masterminds interacted with Puri collector, Mr. Siddharth Shankar Swain, an IAS officer of the 2014 batch, to learn more about the insight of Ratna Bhandar’s visit, the feeling, and further process of enumeration.
LORD JAGANNATH TEMPLE
Mr. Siddharth described the experience as deeply divine and unique. ‘I have never felt such positivity before. As an Odia, it was a moment of immense pride for me,’ he said.
On July 14, the treasure of Lord Jagannath was unveiled after 46 years for maintenance at the 12th-century Jagannath temple in Puri. A special 16-member committee, including the Puri collector and the administrator of the Sri Jagannath Temple Administration, has been appointed by the state government to inventory the temple’s ornaments and items. It was previously opened in 1978.
Reflecting on the occasion, Siddharth remarked, “We had only heard stories about the divine treasures of the temple. But to witness it firsthand, as the repository of Lord Jagannath, was truly inspiring. It felt like encountering something truly divine. The experience was not only unique but also filled with a tremendous sense of positivity. With the protection of God Loknath ji believed to be overseeing it, there was already a sense of reverence.”
THE FINDINGS
On July 14, when both the outer and inner Ratna Bhandars were opened, the team discovered beautiful boxes and cupboards inside the vault. All the precious jewelry from the outer Ratna Bhandar was immediately transferred to a temporary strong room within the same complex on that very day. However, the precious jewelry from the inner Ratna Bhandar will be relocated during the next phase of operations.
According to the SOP, the team broke the lock of the inner Ratna Bhandar (store), and then all the team members inspected the valuables stored inside the inner storeroom.
The team refrained from opening the boxes and cupboards on that day. “When we return, we will likely examine them and then transfer their contents to the inner Ratna Bhandar,” Siddharth explained when asked about the discoveries within the Ratna Bhandar. “I won’t disclose much, but the vault contained gems essential for the daily rituals of Lord Jagannath, including clothing, jewelry, and special adornments for decorations. We will delve deeper into our findings during our next visit.”
THE PROCESS
The process begins with the first schedule, which involves opening the inner Ratna Bhandar. Following this, the second schedule focuses on shifting its contents, and finally, the third schedule is dedicated to repairs.
“After completing this relocation, the government will determine the methodology for enumeration and other assessments, issuing a separate SOP for those procedures,” he said.
THE RETURN VISIT
The team is scheduled to revisit on July 18, with the auspicious time set from 9:51 am to 12:25 pm for opening the Ratna Bhandar. The inner chamber of the temple’s Ratna Bhandar will be reopened to facilitate the transfer of jewelry to a temporary storehouse. Subsequently, a comprehensive list of jewelry and valuables will be compiled.
“We are strictly adhering to the SOP established by the government. On May 18, we will relocate the inner Ratna Bhandar to a secure location within the temple premises. Once this relocation is accomplished, the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) will assess any damages inside and proceed with necessary repairs as needed,” Mr Siddharth told Indian Masterminds.
THE WORTH OF RATNA BHANDAR
The claimed worth of the treasure, as reported in some media outlets, is purely speculative. Siddharth stated that it is premature to make any definitive statements on this matter.
