The Jagannath Temple Management Committee, the apex governing body of the 12th century Jagannath Temple, Puri, has decided to recommend allowing the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to carry out the inspection of Ratna Bhandar (treasury) during the 2024 rath yatra.
The decision assumes significance as the Naveen Patnaik government has been under pressure to open Ratna Bhandar, which is believed to possess precious jewellery and stones.
The last inventory of jewellery and stones was carried out in 1978. For obvious reasons, the State government had shown ‘reluctance’ to open the treasury of Shree Jagannath Temple.
