BHUBANESWAR: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Tuesday began the repair of Jagannath temple’s Ratna Bhandar, which was opened after 46 years on July 14.
This marks ASI’s first repair work on Ratna Bhandar since assuming conservation responsibilities of the 12th-century Jagannath temple in 1975.
The state govt has instructed the ASI to ensure superior quality workmanship that would last for five decades. ASI plans to finish the renovation within a three-month timeframe.
“Keeping the next 50 years in view, the ASI will be completing all the necessary repair in Ratna Bhandar. Although they have given a time estimation of 3 months for completion of the work, we expect that the repair would finish before that,” state law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said.
ASI’s superintending archaeologist (Puri circle), Dibishada Garnayak, said that their initial task involves removing wall plasters from both outer and inner chambers of Ratna Bhandar after the installation of scaffoldings.
Last month, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI) from Hyderabad shared their ground-penetrating radar survey results, involving the Ratna Bhandar, with the ASI. Their investigation confirmed no hidden tunnels or underground treasury exist within the temple grounds.
ASI officials indicated that the NGRI report identified two significant vertical cracks, measuring 30 to 35 cm deep, at the junction of the outer and inner chambers of Ratna Bhandar, alongside some damaged stone beams.
“We will replace stones to address these vertical cracks. Additionally, five deteriorated small beams in the inner chamber require replacement with steel alternatives. The flooring of Ratna Bhandar suffered substantial damage requiring immediate replacement with Khondalite stones. Various small shelves in both chambers will undergo repairs,” Garnayak said.
The govt has established standard operating procedures for the repairs, ensuring no disruption to daily rituals and darshan arrangements. The ASI is likely to work for about 5 to 6 hours daily.
“After the completion of the repair work, we will take up the inventory of the jewels and ornaments that were kept in two temporary Ratna Bhandars inside the shrine. The ornaments will be shifted to the renovated Ratna Bhandar where experts will carry out the inventory amid tight security,” Minister Harichandan said.