No estimate of Ratnabhandar valuables with SJTA: Minister

Bhubaneswar: Puri Srimandir Ratnabhandar – the chamber containing Lord Jagannath’s treasure trove – has more than 12,800 bhari (tola) gold, valued close to `50 crore, and over 22,153 bhari silver, besides numerous precious gem stones and other puja items, Law Minister Pratap Jena informed the state Assembly Thursday.
“According to the list prepared by the Shri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) during opening of the Ratnabhandar between May 13 and July 23 in 1978, the treasury contains 12831.1 bhari gold ornaments and other valuables, including precious gem stones,” said Jena in a written reply to a question raised by member Dilip Ray.
He further said that, as per the list, the Ratnabhandar also had 22,153 bhari silver utensils with puja items and expensive gem stones.
He, however, said that there is no record of this estimation about estimation of these precious jewelries and items with the temple administration. The actual quantum and worth of the valuables can only be known after undertaking a fresh estimation.
The minister also said that weight of all gold and silver items couldn’t be measured at that time. “Fourteen gold and silver items have not been included in the list prepared by the committee, as these items could not be valued due to various reasons,” he said.
The Ratnabhandar is closely linked with the rituals at the 14th century shire. It is said that the Srimandir Ratnabhandar consists of seven chambers. However, currently, only three out of the seven chambers are being used for various rituals of deities.
While the ornaments and valuables used during Suna Besha of Lord Jagannath are stored in these three rooms, nothing is clear about the precious items stored in the remaining rooms, as they are yet to be opened. Recently, the Orissa High Court had ordered an inspection of the structural condition of the Ratnabhandar , which has kicked off a controversy.
The structural inspection of the Ratnabhandar was done by an expert panel April 10 amid protests from a section of servitors of the temple. As a result, the expert team during its inspection also desisted itself from opening the inner chambers.