Odisha: Shankaracharya of Puri expressed his displeasure over the reopening of the Ratna Bhandar, said – the government did not ask for suggestions

Puri’s Shankaracharya Swami Nischalanand Saraswati Ji Maharaj has expressed displeasure over the recent developments regarding the reopening of Lord Jagannath’s treasure Ratna Bhandar. The Shankaracharya of Puri said it would not be appropriate to comment on the matter as his opinion has not been sought by either the Management Committee, the SJTA, the Odisha government or the sevadars.

Recently, the management committee of the Jagannath Temple in Puri announced its recommendation to the Odisha government to allow the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to reopen and repair the gem store. Shankaracharya said that I do not want to throw stones in the dark. I have not received any communication from the managing committee. The Committee, the Government of Odisha and the sevadars want to stay away from me and therefore it is not proper to comment on the matter without knowing the facts.

Earlier, the ASI had issued a letter to the Chief Administrator of SJTA to inspect the Ratna Bhandar. He requested to inspect the store during Rath Yatra when Lord Gundicha is on his nine day stay for the temple.

After detailed discussion, the Managing Committee agreed to send a recommendation letter to the State Government to allow the ASI to inspect the Ratna Bhandar during the next Rath Yatra. In the meantime, a technical committee will be constituted consisting of members of the managing committee, some servicemen and members of the ASI who will use modern survey machinery to assess the condition of the outlying gem deposits.