Puri: Jagannath Temple's Ratna Bhandar needs renovation, says official
What's the story
The Ratna Bhandar (storehouse for ornaments) of Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri is in need of repair, a senior administration official of the shrine said today. "The temple authorities would take necessary steps to restore it after receiving the final report from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which will be submitted to us in a week," said PK Jena, head of SJTA.
Emergency meeting
Rainwater was found leaking into the repository
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration yesterday called for an emergency meeting of the temple's managing committee, which was presided over by the Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingh Deb, at the Special Circuit House. The meeting was held hours after a team of 16 members, including the ASI experts, inspected the condition of the Ratna Bhandar. They found rainwater leaking into the repository.
Prayer hall
Jagmohan prayer hall to be open for devotees soon
However, the team did not enter the inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandara. On this, Jena said the members were able to see all sides of the cell through an iron grill, they "did not find it necessary to open the room". On the status of Jagmohan prayer hall in the shrine, Jena said the administration would allow the devotees to enter it soon.