A crucial meeting was held to discuss the inventory and verification of Ratna Bhandar ornaments at the Jagannath Temple in Puri under the chairmanship of the SJTA Chief Administrator. Officials confirmed that a detailed 14-page Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), approved by the Odisha government, has been received to conduct the counting and verification process. Two teams — a supervisory team and an execution team — will be formed to ensure smooth and transparent operations.
The temple managing committee will finalise the schedule, keeping in mind ritual restrictions. Out of 135 available days before the Niladri Bije ritual, nearly 100 days are unsuitable due to religious observances, leaving only 24 feasible days for the inventory exercise. A meeting of the Chhatisa Nijog will further deliberate on the matter.
Earlier, the Orissa High Court directed the state government to complete the inventory within three months and submit the inquiry report on the missing Ratna Bhandar keys in the Assembly. Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has also reviewed the preparations for the counting and valuation process of the temple’s sacred ornaments.
