Asi To Conduct Inspection Of Ratna Bhandar On Sept 18 | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has scheduled a structural inspection of the Ratna Bhandar (treasury) of Puri Jagannath temple on Sept 18.
Arabinda Padhee, chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration , said, “The ASI has informed that a team led by the additional director general (conservation) and experts from CSIR-NGRI (National Geophysical Research Institute) will conduct a preliminary inspection and technical survey of the Ratna Bhandar.After discussions with temple officials and sevayats (servitors), it has been decided to conduct this exercise on Sept 18 as per the govt-approved standard operating procedure.”
Sources said the ASI will provide the temple administration with a schedule for repair and restoration only after completing their initial inspection on Sept 18. They have been asked to check for hidden chambers or tunnels inside the treasury using non-destructive technology.
According to ASI sources, both the outer and inner chambers of the Ratna Bhandar are in poor condition, with visible cracks in several areas.
The conservation work will involve replacing damaged wrought iron beams on the roof and a corbel arch and consolidating wall cracks of the Ratna Bhandar. In the outer chamber, the weathered and weak lime plaster on the sloped surface has visible cracks that require de-plastering and appropriate consolidation. Two of the five iron beams in the outer chamber are damaged, and the remaining three are also in poor shape,” an ASI official said.
He said that the junction area between the Ratna Bhandar and Jagamohan needs strengthening and proper water-tightening measures. “If significant damage is found after de-plastering the three outer walls, it will be addressed using suitable conservation techniques,” the official added.
This will be the first time ASI will undertake repairs on the Ratna Bhandar since assuming responsibility for the conservation of the Puri Jagannath Temple in 1975.
Two months ago, jewellery and other valuables stored in the outer and inner chambers of the treasury were moved to two temporary strongrooms inside the temple.
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