Editor’s Note
**Editor’s Note:** The Archaeological Survey of India has confirmed that no hidden chamber exists in the Jagannath Temple’s Ratna Bhandar, following a Ground Penetrating Radar survey and recent repair work.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) stated on Tuesday that there is no hidden chamber in the Ratna Bhandar (treasury) of the Jagannath Temple in Puri. The ASI recently completed repair work on the Ratna Bhandar. In a post on ‘X’ detailing these works, it said that there is no hidden space in the Ratna Bhandar. The ASI confirmed this based on a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey.
It stated that the Ratna Bhandar, or treasury, is divided into two parts: the ‘inner’ Ratna Bhandar and the ‘outer’ Bhandar, with an iron gate between them that is locked from the outside. It said that after inspecting both chambers, it was decided to conduct a GPR survey to determine if there were any hidden chambers or cupboards in the walls or under the floors.
The ASI stated that the report of the GPR survey conducted in September 2024 confirmed that there is no hidden space. Following the report, conservation work began on December 17, 2024. It started by erecting scaffolding in both the inner and outer Bhandars. It informed that the Ratna Bhandar is connected to the northern entrance of the temple’s Jagamohan, or assembly hall. It said that the Ratna Bhandar, constructed from Khondalite stone, was intended to store the precious items of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Sri Sudarshan.
The first phase ran from December 17, 2024, to April 28, 2025, and the second from June 28 to July 7. The inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandar was opened last year on July 14, after 46 years, for repair work and to prepare an inventory of items.