Editor’s Note
This article reports on the findings of an ASI survey at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, which preliminarily found no evidence of secret tunnels or chambers in the temple’s treasury.
Odisha’s Law Minister, Prithviraj Harichandan, stated that a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey was conducted at the Jagannath Temple by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The preliminary results from this survey have not indicated the presence of any secret tunnel or chamber in the treasury (Ratna Bhandar) of the Puri Jagannath Temple.
Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan informed that information has been received about some cracks appearing in the temple’s treasury. The survey did not find any secret passage. It is noteworthy that amidst speculation about hidden chambers containing valuables and ornaments in the Jagannath Temple’s treasury, the temple administration had requested the GPR survey.
Minister Harichandan said that it is not currently possible to undertake repairs for the cracks in the Jagannath Temple’s treasury. This is because the holy month of Kartik is currently ongoing. Due to this, the temple experiences a massive influx of devotees. Repairs could take over a month. The ASI can carry out the crack repairs after the month of Kartik.