Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan affirmed on Friday that there is no secret tunnel or chamber inside the Ratna Bhandar of Puri’s Jagannath Temple.
The minister informed the reporters, “The Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey conducted by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) confirmed that the Ratna Bhandar does not have any secret chambers or tunnels.” He added that during the survey, some cracks were discovered inside the Ratna Bhandar, which the ASI planned to repair after Kartika Purnima.
According to Harichandan, the state administration was waiting for the ASI’s final report, which will be published soon.
Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan confirmed on Friday that there is no secret tunnel or chamber inside the Ratna Bhandar of Puri’s Jagannath Temple.
The minister informed the reporters, “The Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey conducted by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) confirmed that the Ratna Bhandar does not have any secret chambers or tunnels.” He added that during the survey, some cracks were discovered inside the Ratna Bhandar, which the ASI planned to repair after Kartika Purnima.
According to Harichandan, the state administration was waiting for the ASI’s final report, which will be published soon.
“In view of the heavy rush at the temple during the Kartika month it is not feasible to carry out the repair work now. The repairing process will start after Kartika Purnima and completed within a month or two,” Harichandan said.
In reply to a question, the minister said, “The counting of valuables will be undertaken after the repair work of Ratna Bhandar. Besides, the counting process would be held inside the Ratna Bhandar keeping in view security issues.