Srimandir Ratna Bhandar row: SJTA seeks govt permission, Servitor appeals for euthanasia

KalingaTV News Network

Puri: Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has sought permission from the state government to carry out an inspection of Puri Srimandir’s Ratna Bhandar, the chamber containing Lord Jagannath’s treasure trove, on March 26 and 27. The Orissa High Court has allowed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to carry out the inspection.

“The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will carry out the inspection only for the sake of assessment of structural condition of the inner chambers by members of a technical committee. Apart from this, there is no any other intention to inspect any articles or other things of the deities. If the state government allows then only we will move forward,” said Chief Administrator (Rituals) Pradeep Kumar Das.

On the other hand, several servitors and activists of Jagannath Sena have been opposing opening of the Ratna Bhandar stating the inspection will bring disaster. Narasingha Pujapanda, a servitor of Lord Jagannath Temple, even has appealed to the Puri Additional District Court (ADM) court for euthanasia if the Ratna Bhandar of the 12th shrine will be opened. Besides, he has expressed his willingness to donate all his organs.

“There is no meaning of living anymore if I could not protect Lord Jagannath. I request the Puri ADM court to approve me for Euthanasia or passive death,” said Pujapanda.

“If the government proceeds with the decision, the Ratna Bhandar should be opened in the presence of all the stakeholders, including the members of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee and Chhatisa Nijog office bearers. It should not be opened in the presence of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration and ASI officials,’’ he demanded.

The Orissa High Court, on March 22,  directed that the storehouse of the deities’ gold ornaments would be inspected on March 26 and 27.

Precious jewellery and ornaments of the sibling deities are kept in the Ratna Bhandar which was last inspected in 1984. However, the ASI officials could not open the multi door- treasury after hearing horrific sounds from inside it.