The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) announced today that the Archaeological assessment of India (ASI) conducted a technical assessment of the inner part of the Puri Srimandir’s ‘Ratna Bhandar’ (treasury). The inspection lasted around 3 hours and 50 minutes.
SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee stated that the inspection process is yet unfinished. The workout will resume tomorrow.
The Ratna Bhandar committee head, Justice Biswanath Rath, stated that “the survey took 3 hours and 50 minutes today. We hope that the drill will be completed on time.”
The ASI team conducted a thorough assessment of the Ratna Bhanbdar using cutting-edge technology and scientific equipment. Today, the team used three high-powered machines for survey work. Data collected from the survey will take 10 days for processing, said Anand Pandey, chief of National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), Hyderabad.
The technical survey will also be carried out on September 22, and 23, from 1 pm to 6 pm.
“There will be restrictions on devotees visiting the temple. The temple gates will remain closed for devotees during the survey work, SJTA chief said.
Earlier, on September 18, the SJTA wrote to the ASI Director General, demanding that Ratna Bhandar’s technical survey be completed by September 24 due to particular deity ceremonies during Dussehra and ‘Kartika’ month.
Previously, the ASI team conducted laser scanning of the Ratna Bhandar to detect the presence of any secret tunnels.