Dikhyaa Mohanty 
As per a report obtained through Right To Information (RTI), it was revealed that the ‘Ratna Bhandara’ of Lord Jagannath temple in Puri is under serious threat. Along with some shocking details on the precarious condition of the treasure trove famous for the popular legends and folklores associated with it, the report revealed several disclosures.
According to the reports, the report was furnished by the administration of the temple in response to an RTI query that has revealed that not only the Bahara Bhandara (the outer chamber of the treasure house) but the Bhitara Bhadara (inner complex) is also in a perilous state. As per data available with the State Department of Law, the outer Ratna Bhandara was opened for inspection by a specially commissioned team on April 4, 2018. During scrutiny, all authorized personnel including the chief overseer of the chambers, the Bhandara Mekap was also present at the spot.
The report further added that at the outset, members of the ASI, Temple Core Committee, an Orissa High Court inspected the temple walls and ceiling using special lights. The team also took a peek into the inner chamber’s walls and ceiling through a grill but did not make any effort to open the Bhitara Bhandara. The Bhitara Bhandara had three locks with one of them sealed with adhesive, so the team conducted some measurements of the inner chamber by inserting an iron pipe through the grill.
As per the inspection panel, there were many observations which were made as per the RTI report like – There are a large number of vertical cracks in the walls of the Bhandara, at most of the places, the plaster has fallen from the walls and produce a hollow sound while being tapped, a few wrought iron beams supporting the ceiling are missing, a few stones are scattered on the floor from corbel and dampness is present everywhere on the walls to floors.
Meanwhile, despite recommendations by the expert committee for renovation and conservation of the treasure rooms, no step has been taken so far.
