Puri Shreemandir: Ratna Bhanda Repair Work To Begin Today

Puri, Dec 17: The much-awaited repair work in the Ratna Bhandar (Treasure House) of Shreemandir in Puri will begin today.

The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) will start the repair after the second Bhoga Mandap. During repair work, devotees will not be able to have Darshan of the Trinity from Bhitara Katha. However, they can have Darshan of the deities from the Bahar Katha.

According to the information, focus will be given to see that the Trinity's rituals will not be affected due to the repair work. The ASI will set iron poles and sitting platforms today. Tomorrow and the following days, de-plastering and repairing of old iron beams and cracked stones will be undertaken.

Repair work will be undertaken in both Bahar and Bhitar Ratna Bandars (Outer and inner Ratna Bhandars). Repair work will be done for five to six hours every day after the second Bhogamandap.

Meanwhile, servitors have suggested that the ASI should undertake the repair work in a manner that can last for at least 500 years.

Better quality stone and black granite will come from Nilgiri. There are vertical cracks or multiple cracks on the wall. There are also cracks on the floor and many rat holes underneath the floor as detected during the Ground Penetrating Radar or GPR surveys.

Similarly, stone beams have become dirty and rusty. The ASI is likely to re-install iron and stone beams.

According to the latest information, a team of the SJTA team went to the district Collector's office to bring the Ratna Bhandar keys.