Editor’s Note
**Editor’s Note:** The successful counting and weighing of the sacred jewels in Puri’s Ratna Bhandar during the Rath Yatra marks a significant step in preserving the temple’s heritage. This meticulous documentation ensures transparency and safeguards centuries-old traditions.
Bhubaneswar:
During the Rath Yatra in Puri, while Lord Jagannath is residing at his aunt’s house (Gundicha Temple), the process of counting and weighing the sacred jewels secured in the Ratna Bhandar (treasury) of the Shree Jagannath Temple has been successfully completed. This initiative is a crucial part of a comprehensive campaign aimed at the systematic documentation, verification, and preservation of the temple’s valuable heritage. The process included all ornaments worn by the deities, as well as those recently offered during the Snana Purnima festival.
During this period, several important and sacred ornaments were examined, including the Rahu Rekha, Swarna Chita (head ornament), and Rajata Rasika, among others. All these ornaments belong to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra. Each ornament was carefully counted, weighed, and identified.
The entire process was recorded through photography, videography, and modern 3D mapping technology to ensure transparency. Dr. Arvind Padhi, Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), stated that the ornaments were identified by gem and jewelry experts. He said:
He also informed that the process included the gem-studded Chitas worn by the three deities during Deva Snana Purnima.
After counting and verification, these ornaments were handed back to the Bhandar Mekap Sevayats according to temple tradition. Additionally, rare ornaments such as ‘Sua Thantia’ and the silver ‘Rasika Sua Thantia’ were also counted and weighed, which ordinary devotees rarely get to see. Justice Biswanath Rath, Chairman of the Ratna Bhandar Inspection Committee, said that the entire process was conducted in accordance with the standards and procedures set by the state government. He explained:
He further stated that the inspection team entered the designated site at around 11:36 AM and completed the process by 1:58 PM. During this time, ornaments like Rahu Rekha, Rajata Sua Thantia, and Chita Lagi were also examined. This work was carried out under the additional Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) set by the government. Justice Rath also clarified that the counting of most ornaments in the inner Ratna Bhandar has been completed, although one ornament called ‘Jhoba’ remains pending as it is currently being worn by the deity. It will be listed later when it is returned to the treasury. According to officials, the counting of remaining ornaments and valuables in the inner Ratna Bhandar is still pending. The temple administration will soon decide the date for the next phase. This entire initiative is seen as an important step towards ensuring the preservation, transparency, and accountability of the temple’s sacred assets.
Meanwhile, after the Adapa Bije, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra have been seated on the Janmavedi of the Shree Gundicha Temple, where it is believed that Lord Jagannath recreates his divine leelas. On this occasion, devotees got a rare opportunity for Adapa Darshan in the Adapa Mandapa, leaving them emotionally overwhelmed and joyful.
On Sunday, a large number of devotees arrived for the darshan of the Chaturdha Vigraha—Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra, and Sudarshan. Due to this special darshan during the nine-day journey, the crowd was significantly large. Queues of devotees were reported to have reached the Badashankha area. The temple administration arranged extensive barricading to control the crowd, and devotees were exited through the Nakachana gate after darshan.
Although devotees got the opportunity for darshan, many were deprived of receiving Adapa Abadha (Mahaprasad). This was attributed to delays in temple policies. The cooking process began after Surya Puja, and Sakala Dhupa concluded around 4:10 PM, after which Mahaprasad distribution started. Narayan Mahasuar, Secretary of the Suara Maha Suara Niyoga, said:
The tradition of Anna Bhoga began on Sunday, under which devotees received Adapa Abadha. Notably, ‘Amrita Anna’ was prepared from organic rice and offered in Kotha Bhoga. Along with this, moong dal and urad dal were also used for traditional dishes.
After the second Bhoga Mandapa, darshan was temporarily closed due to the Banakalagi Niti. During this time, special adornment of the Lord was performed by the Datta Mahapatra Sevayats. Earlier, the deities had given darshan to devotees while seated on the chariots for three days, after which they entered the Adapa Mandapa through the Pahandi method. After morning rituals like Mangala Arati were completed, darshan began around 10 AM. However, due to the Banakalagi Niti continuing late into the night, darshan was closed after 9 PM.