Puri: The famous Padmashri sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has written a letter to Odisha CM Majhi on the opening of Ratna Bhandar. He has requested the CM to instruct Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to take immediate repair and maintenance work of inner Ratna Bhandar Chamber of the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
The sand artist wrote, “It is my great pleasure to congratulate you for taking the significant decision to open four doors of the temple of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Puri respecting the religious thoughts of devotee’s long demand.”
He further elaborated, “Mahaprabhu Jagannath is unique Hindu God as he is called the Lord of the Universe. The temple is of very ancient origin and is the trail blazer of Odisha’s cultural & architectural legacy making every Odia pride.”
“Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is mandated to repair and maintain this classical temple as necessary. In 2018, the technical committee of ASI inspected the inner Ratna Bhandar Chamber (Bhandara Ghara)and found many structural problems/damages in the walls, ceiling, and in overall basement structure. They had recommended immediate repair the issues to fix them. It has not been acted upon even after 6 long years thus the damages might have further deteriorated by now. The laser scanning done in February 2024 also detected cracks on the out side of Ratna Bhandar,” he further added.
Padmashri sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik finally concluded the letter and said, “I pray your honour on behalf of devotees of the Mahaprabhu, to instruct ASI to take up the repair and maintenance work of inner Ratna Bhandar immediately, as the forthcoming monsoon may cause further damage and threaten the integrity of entire temple structure.”
