At 1.28 pm on Sunday, the officials entrusted by the Odisha government will open the 'Ratna Bhandar', the secret vault of the 12th-century Jagannath temple in Puri, after a long 46 years.
As part of the ceremonies before reopening the vault, an 'Agnya' ritual was held in the morning, which involved seeking approval for the reopening of the Ratna Bhandar. Following this, the members of the committee formed by the state government to supervise the inventory of valuables in the treasury entered the shrine at 12 pm.
"Before reopening the treasury, we will seek the approval of Goddess Bimala, Goddess Laxmi, who is the owner of the treasury, and lastly Lord Lokanath, who is its caretaker," committee chairman Justice Biswanath Rath told reporters.
He and other panel members offered prayers before Lord Jagannath and his siblings at the Gundicha temple for the smooth completion of the works. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been made for the entire process. The place where the valuables will be kept temporarily has also been identified.
Gold, diamonds and snakes
Ever since Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan declared that the authorities will repair the vault and count the ornaments inside, speculations are rife on what's inside the revered treasury.
It is said that the vault's inner chamber 'Bhitara Bhandar' (last opened in 1985) holds crowns of kings to chests full of treasures. The inner chamber reportedly stores the rarest jewellery pieces, including diamonds, gold and precious gems. Many of these have been donated over centuries by devotees and kings to the deity. Legends have it that these include stone-studded crowns and ornaments the kings brought with them after defeating other states in battles.
As per local media, in 1805 the then Puri collector Charles Grome made a list of the ornaments stored in the inner chamber, which included 1,333 items, including 74 types of ornaments. There are also rumours that the chambers hold 128 gold coins, 1297 silver coins, 106 copper coins and 24 ancient gold coins.
The last inventory, done in 1978, reportedly revealed that the treasure trove had 454 types of gold ornaments weighing 12,883 ‘bhari’ and 293 types of silver ornaments weighing 22,153 ‘bhari’.
According to the Odisha Review magazine, the inner chamber also contains 180 types of ornaments, including 74 varieties of pure gold ornaments. Some of these weigh over 1.2 kilograms.
"The inventory work will not start today. It will be done after getting approval from the government on the engagement of valuers, goldsmiths and other experts," a panel member said. The government has decided to prepare a digital catalogue of the valuables with details such as their weight and make.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Superintendent DB Gadanayak said structural engineers, mechanical engineers and civil engineers will inspect the Ratna Bhandar for the repair work.
Meanwhile, there are also fears that there would be snakes inside the vault. The government has deployed snake catchers, along with Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) personnel at the spot.
The ODRAF men were seen entering the temple premises with lights that will be installed inside the Ratna Bhandar.
Snake Helpline member Subhendu Mallick said, "We have come here on the instruction of the state government. There will be two teams of snake catchers -- one inside and another outside the temple. We will follow all instructions of the administration."