Puri, Aug 15: Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Friday said the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC), which oversees the functioning of the 12th-century shrine in Puri, would be reconstituted within a week.

Speaking to reporters after hoisting the national flag in Puri on Independence Day, Harichandan stated that the reconstitution of the committee will pave the way for a long-awaited inventory of the Ratna Bhandar — the temple’s treasury, believed to house priceless ornaments and sacred artifacts.

“The managing committee of the temple will be reconstituted in the next three to five days or a week at maximum,” Harichandan said. “Then, after getting approval from the committee, the inventory of valuables in the Ratna Bhandar will be done.”

The Ratna Bhandar has long been a subject of public interest and concern, with calls for transparency and proper documentation of its contents growing louder in recent years. The last known inventory was conducted decades ago, and several attempts to reopen the treasury for inspection have faced administrative and legal hurdles.

The reconstitution of the SJTMC is expected to bring in new members and possibly streamline decision-making processes related to temple management, security, and heritage preservation. The committee plays a crucial role in overseeing rituals, temple administration, and coordination with servitors and government bodies.

The move is seen as part of the Odisha government’s broader efforts to modernize and enhance transparency in the management of the 12th-century shrine, which attracts millions of devotees annually and holds immense cultural and spiritual significance.

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