What Happened
- After a gap of 48 years, the inventory process of the Ratna Bhandar (treasury) of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, commenced on March 25, 2026.
- The Ratna Bhandar contains two chambers — an outer chamber (Bahara Bhandar) and an inner chamber (Bhitara Bhandar, the "secret chamber") — housing the ornaments and jewels belonging to the presiding deities: Lord Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra.
- The last inventory was conducted between May 13-23, 1978, when 454 gold items weighing 128.380 kg and 293 silver items weighing 221.530 kg were documented.
- The 2026 exercise will cross-check every item against the 1978 register, identify discrepancies, and comprehensively document all valuables using advanced videography, photography, and 3D mapping for full transparency.
- The process begins with the Chalanti Ratna Bhandar (movable treasury — ornaments used in daily worship), followed by the outer chamber and then the inner chamber in subsequent phases.
- The inventory is being conducted under a high-level committee chaired by retired Justice Biswanath Rath, formed by the Odisha government in July 2024 following Orissa High Court directions.
- The exercise is being conducted under the legal framework of the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1954, with the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) as the managing authority.
Static Topic Bridges
Shree Jagannath Temple: Historical and Religious Significance
The Jagannath Temple at Puri is one of India's most revered Hindu shrines and forms one of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites (alongside Badrinath, Dwarka, and Rameswaram). It is dedicated to Lord Jagannath — a form of Vishnu or Krishna — along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra. The present temple complex was begun by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty in the late 11th–early 12th century CE and largely completed under King Ananga Bhima Deva III in the 13th century. The temple is an outstanding example of Kalinga architecture: its main tower (Rekha Deul) rises approximately 65 metres and is topped with the Chakra (wheel of Vishnu) and a Patitapabana flag. The annual Rath Yatra (chariot festival), in which the three deities are taken in procession on enormous wooden chariots, is recognized globally and attracts millions of devotees.
- Location: Puri, Odisha (on the Bay of Bengal coast)
- Deities: Lord Jagannath (Vishnu/Krishna), Goddess Subhadra, Lord Balabhadra
- Dynasty: Eastern Ganga Dynasty (Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva initiated construction)
- Architecture: Kalinga style — Rekha Deul (curvilinear main tower, ~65 m), Jagamohana, Natamandira, Bhoga Mandapa
- Char Dham sites: Badrinath (Uttarakhand), Dwarka (Gujarat), Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu), Puri (Odisha)
- Rath Yatra: held annually in Ashadha (June-July); UNESCO recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage
- Non-Hindus: historically not allowed inside the main temple
Connection to this news: The immense religious significance of Jagannath Temple — and the devout belief that the jewels belong to the deity — explains why the Ratna Bhandar inventory is legally and politically sensitive and why it required a 48-year gap, High Court intervention, and a retired Supreme Court judge-led committee to manage.
Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1954 and Temple Administration
The Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1954 is the primary legislative framework governing the administration of the Puri temple. It established the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee and later the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) as the apex administrative body. The Act defines the roles of sevayats (hereditary priests who perform ritual services), the powers of the Raja of Puri (Gajapati Maharaja) as "first sevayat," and the management of temple lands, endowments, and property. The Ratna Bhandar falls under this legal framework. Any decision to open it — let alone conduct an inventory — requires compliance with the Act's provisions and oversight by the SJTA under the state government.
- Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1954: the primary legislation governing temple administration
- SJTA: Shree Jagannath Temple Administration — manages the 12th-century temple complex
- Sevayats: hereditary priests with specific ritual roles; their rights are codified in the Act
- Gajapati Maharaja (Raja of Puri): ceremonially considered the "first sevayat" — plays the role of a sweeper during Rath Yatra
- High-Level Committee (2024): Chaired by retired Justice Biswanath Rath; formed following Orissa High Court direction
- Previous committee: Led by retired SC judge Arijit Pasayat (March 2024, under previous BJD government); reconstituted after change in state government
Connection to this news: The legal complexity around the inventory — requiring High Court intervention and a judge-led committee — stems from the 1954 Act's division of responsibilities and the competing interests of the state government, temple administration, sevayats, and devotees. The 2026 inventory represents the state asserting administrative oversight under this framework after nearly five decades.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Heritage Management
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under the Ministry of Culture, is India's primary body for archaeological research, conservation, and protection of ancient monuments. It administers over 3,693 centrally protected monuments under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958. However, the Jagannath Temple at Puri is NOT under ASI's direct administrative control — it is managed by the SJTA under the state government. The ASI Bhubaneswar Circle handles structural conservation support when needed. The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972 governs the trade and export of antiquities and art treasures in India; items of religious or cultural significance within temple premises may also fall under its purview for documentation purposes.
- ASI: Archaeological Survey of India; established 1861 (reconstituted 1871 by Alexander Cunningham)
- AMASR Act, 1958: protects ancient monuments, archaeological sites; prohibits construction within 100 m of protected monuments
- Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972: regulates antiquities (objects over 100 years old); mandates registration of antique items
- ASI's role at Puri: structural conservation support (Bhubaneswar Circle); not the primary administrative body
- Temple management: SJTA (state body under Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1954)
- 3D mapping and videography: adopted for 2026 inventory to create permanent digital record — best practice in heritage documentation
Connection to this news: The use of advanced documentation techniques (3D mapping, videography) for the Ratna Bhandar inventory aligns with global best practices in heritage management and ASI protocols for documenting important collections. While the 1978 exercise was purely a physical register exercise, the 2026 inventory also creates a permanent digital heritage record.
Key Facts & Data
- Ratna Bhandar: two chambers — outer (Bahara Bhandar) and inner (Bhitara Bhandar/secret chamber)
- Last inventory: May 13-23, 1978; recorded 454 gold items (128.380 kg) and 293 silver items (221.530 kg)
- Gap since last inventory: 48 years (1978-2026)
- Inventory start: March 25, 2026 (auspicious window: 12:09 PM – 1:45 PM)
- Governing law: Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1954; managed by SJTA
- Oversight committee: Chaired by retired Justice Biswanath Rath; formed July 2024 on Orissa HC direction
- Documentation method: advanced videography, photography, and 3D mapping
- Chalanti Ratna Bhandar: movable treasury with ornaments used in daily worship — inventoried first
- Temple architecture: Kalinga style; Rekha Deul main tower ~65 m; constructed 11th-13th century CE
- Char Dham: Badrinath, Dwarka, Rameswaram, Puri — four principal Hindu pilgrimage sites