A team consisting of members from the temple managing committee, supervisory committee, servants, and Puri district administration will include a "lock breaking group" when they enter the "Lord's treasury" on Sunday.
After nearly forty years, the Puri Jagannath Temple's inner ratna bhandar (treasure trove) lock is scheduled to open on Sunday afternoon.
A proposal to open the bhandar was authorized by the Odisha government, and if the lock cannot be opened with the available keys, it will be shattered.
"The key is no longer a problem. The ratna bhandar will be opened whether or not the keys function. The fact that the lock hasn't been opened in a while is a reality.
Since the lock is constructed of iron, there's also a potential that it will rust. The chair of the committee set up to oversee the procedure, Justice Biswanath Rath, declared, "If necessary, we will break the lock."
The team that will access the "Lord's treasury" on Sunday will include a "lock breaking group" in addition to personnel from the temple managing committee, supervisory committee, servitors, and Puri district administration.
The authorities announced that they will enlist the assistance of snake helpline members in the midst of rumors that serpents were guarding the wealth.
"Medical staff and snake helpline personnel will not enter the temple. They will stay in reserve outside the 12th-century sanctuary, close to the temple administration office. Their assistance will be sought if necessary, Justice Rath declared.
The Ratna Bhandar of the 12th-century temple houses the priceless decorations of sister deities, Lords Jagannath and Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra, which have been contributed throughout ages by followers and former monarchs. There are two chambers in it: the inner chamber, called Bhitar Bhandar, and the outer chamber, called Bahara Bhandar. It is housed inside the temple.
The last inventory of the ratna bhandar was completed in 1978, despite the fact that the outside chamber is frequently opened to retrieve ornaments for the deities during the Suna Besha (golden clothing), a significant rite during the yearly Rath Yatra, as well as other major festivals throughout the year. Despite reopening in 1985, no new inventory was conducted at that time.
On April 4, 2018, the former BJD government made a fruitless attempt to unlock the treasure trove. Due to missing keys, they were unable to open it, which infuriated the entire state.
