Argus News - Puri Ratna Bhandar Inventory Date to Be Finalized Today

Puri, Mar 2: The Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee is set to finalize the date, time, and auspicious moment for the much-awaited Ratna Bhandar inventory in its meeting on Monday.

The meeting, chaired by Gajapati Maharaja, will also deliberate on several key issues related to temple management and rituals.

The committee will decide on the date of Gundicha Temple’s reopening and discuss the introduction of an ideal Gurukul for the children of sevayats.

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Other Points of discussion:

• Ratna Palanka Ornaments: Discussion on when the new set of gem-studded ornaments for Lord Jagannath will be used.
• Mobile Restrictions: Consideration of banning mobile phones for both police and sevayats inside the temple premises.
• Temple Act Amendments: Possible changes to the Shree Jagannath Temple Act to strengthen administration and rituals.
• Orderly Darshan: Plans for structured darshan at the Natamandap, including crowd management and air-conditioning facilities for devotees.

Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan earlier announced that the Ratna Bhandar inventory would begin in the first week of March. He confirmed that discussions with Chhatisha Nijog have already taken place, and the final schedule will be announced soon.

The responsibility has been entrusted to the Managing Committee and temple administration, who will coordinate with Chhatisha Nijog to ensure the process aligns with temple traditions.

According to our source, the inventory process will involve two teams - a supervising team and a handling team. The supervising team will consist of three members, while the handling team will include the Chief Administrator or Deputy Chief Administrator, the head of the High-Level Committee, and one sevayat from the Managing Committee.

Other members will include the Bhandar Mekap, Tadhaukaran, and Bania sevayats. In the absence of the Chief Administrator, the Deputy Chief Administrator will oversee the process, and if both are unavailable, the temple’s ritual administrator will take charge.

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Authorities have prepared detailed lists to manage the expected crowd during the inventory. Plans are being made to ensure smooth proceedings before the Niladri Bije rituals. The temple administration has stressed on transparency and adherence to tradition throughout the process.