GPR Survey Results For Jagannath Temple's Ratna Bhandar Expected Soon: Odisha Law Minister

Bhubaneswar, Oct 15: Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said on Monday that the results of the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey conducted on the Ratna Bhandar (treasure trove) of the Jagannath Temple are expected to be available soon.

He explained that the GPR survey covered both the outer and inner Ratna Bhandar, and once the report is received, a detailed discussion will follow.

"We have conducted a GPR survey of the outer and inner Ratna Bhandar of Puri's Sri Jagannath Temple. The report is supposed to arrive within a day or two. Once we receive the report, we will engage in detailed discussions and further analysis. If there is anything significant, the government will take appropriate action; if the report yields no findings, we will commence repair work with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as soon as possible. We are also trying to get the boxes and everything transferred in the Ratna Bhandar," he told ANI.

The state minister further highlighted that the government would provide a small quantity of mahaprasad to visitors on behalf of the temple.

"We will be providing mahaprasad to visitors with the understanding that when someone comes to have darshan of Lord Jagannath and returns home, their family and neighbors eagerly await something blessed from Lord Jagannath. Naturally, not everyone can afford to bring items from there. Therefore, on behalf of the temple administration, we will provide at least a katori full of mahaprasad so that the visitor can share a little with everyone," said the Odisha Law Minister.

On July 14, the Ratna Bhandar of the Shri Jagannath Temple was reopened after more than four decades. Special boxes were also brought to the temple ahead of the reopening of the Ratna Bhandar for the storage of ornaments.

The opening of the inner Ratna Bhandar was conducted in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the Odisha government. An inspection committee, chaired by Justice Biswanath Rath, consisting of 11 members, entered the inner Bhandar to oversee the shifting of the jewelry, a district administrator said.

Puri Superintendent of Police Pinak Mishra stated that security arrangements have been implemented for the opening of the inner Ratna Bhandar in line with the SOP provided by the government.

"Security arrangements have been made for the opening of Jagannath Temple's inner Ratna Bhandar. We have prepared according to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) issued by the government of Odisha," he said. (ANI)