Puri: A report obtained Thursday through Right to Information (RTI) Act revealed that the ‘Ratna Bhandar’ of Puri Jagannath temple is now in a dilapidated condition and it may suffer more damage due to dampness.
According to a source, the walls of Ratna Bhandar have developed a number of cracks with plaster falling apart at several places. Some of the iron beams supporting the ceiling are missing while stone pillars made to support the walls have also broken.
The report furnished by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in response to the RTI stated that Bahara Bhandar (outer chamber) and the Bhitara Bhandar (inner chamber of the treasure trove) are in rundown conditions.
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It is pertinent to mention here that the Bahara Bhandar was opened for inspection by a specially commissioned team April 4, 2018. The authorised officials including chief overseer of the chambers, temple servitors and the Bhandar Mekap were present during scrutiny.
The team comprising officials from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Temple Core Committee and Orissa High Court had inspected the walls and ceiling of Bahara Bhandar by using special lights.
The team had just peeped into walls and ceiling of Bhitara Bhandar through an iron grill but could open the inner chamber sans keys.
PNN