Bhubaneswar: The Ratna Bhandar (treasure trove) of Jagannath temple in Puri is likely to open July 14, state Odisha’s Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said Thursday.
Harichandan said the Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee had approved the proposal of the high-level committee headed by former Orissa High Court judge Justice Biswanath Rath, to open the Ratna Bhandar of the temple July 14.
The temple Managing Committee, which met at Puri Wednesday approved the proposal of Justice Rath committee after making minor changes to some SOPs suggested by the high-level committee.
The managing committee sent its approval on the proposal to the state government with a request to issue necessary orders to open the Ratna Bhandar July 14.
The Law minister said the proposal of the temple managing committee will be thoroughly examined by the government and the Ratna Bhandar will most likely be opened July 14 as suggested by the high-level committee and approved by Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee.
The high-level committee in its second sitting dated July 9 last decided to open the Ratna Bhandar which was last opened in 1978.
The reopening of the temple treasury was a major political issue in the state during the recently concluded elections. The BJP had promised to reopen the ‘Ratna Bhandar’ for necessary repair work and make an inventory after it came to power in Odisha.
PNN & Agencies