Puri: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will conduct survey of Ratna Bhandar (the sacred treasury) of Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri, for three days beginning Saturday, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) said on Friday.
According to SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee, the survey will be carried out on September 21, 22, and 23, from 1 pm onwards. “Darshan of the sibling deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra will be closed for devotees during the survey work,” he said.
Sources said the ASI officials will conduct technical survey of the Ratna Bhandar from 2 pm to 5 pm and darshan is likely to be suspended till 6 pm.
Padhee had written to ASI Director General requesting completion of Ratna Bhandar’s technical survey by September 24 in view of special rituals of the Deities during Dussehra ‘Shola Puja’ and holy month of Kartika.
Sources said, the SJTA Chief also requested ASI to submit the survey report within the stipulated time.
On Wednesday, an experts’ team led by the ASI conducted first phase of inspection of Ratna Bhandar during which a detailed assessment was done using laser scanners. Under the supervision of ASI Additional Director General (ADG) Jahnavij Sharma the technical inspection was undertaken using high-tech gadgets and other scientific equipment to conduct a detail assessment of the Ratna Bhanbdar, said sources.
A team of 26 experts from the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), Hyderabad, carried out laser scanning during the inspection, said sources.
Among others, Chief Administrator Padhee, and Chairman of Ratna Bhandar Inventory Committee Justice Biswanath Rath were present during the inspection on Wednesday, the sources added.
Also Read: SJTA Asks ASI To Complete Inspection Of Puri Jagannath Temple Ratna Bhandar By Sept 24