When treasury chambers of Puri Jagannath Temple can be opened for inspection? HC asks

The Orissa High Court today directed the administrative body of Jagannath Temple in Puri to inform it on April 5 as to when the 'Ratna Bhandar', the treasury of the Lord, could be opened for inspection.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice Vineet Saran directed this while adjudicating a petition filed by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) seeking time not less than six weeks to take steps to open the 'Ratna Bhandar'.

Precious jewellery and ornaments of the deities of the 12th century shrine are kept in the 'Ratna Bhandar' which was last inspected in 1984 and only three of its seven chambers had been opened then.

The Orissa High Court had on March 22 ordered the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to inspect the structural condition of the 'Ratna Bhandar' on March 26 and 27. After the inspection, the ASI said its outer surface is good. The condition of the inside would be inspected only after it was opened.

As per the Records of Right of the temple prepared in 1952, the temple administration is required to obtain permission from the state government to open the 'Ratna Bhandar' and the permission has already been obtained by the SJTA.

The repair works undertaken by the ASI in the temple is being monitored by the high court while adjudicating over a PIL seeking a judicial intervention for an effective repair and renovation of the shrine.

The bench also directed the SJTA to inform the high court on April 5 when the temple's Prayer Hall (Jagamohan) could be opened for devotees.

The ASI had told the high court on March 16 that the repair of the prayer hall were over and it was now ready for use by devotees.