'Rumours around Ratna Bhandar must be put to resť

JUSTICE Biswanath Rath, who chairs the committee on Puri Shree Jagannath temple's Ratna Bhandar inventorisation and conservation, speaks to Diana Sahu about unlocking the treasury's Bhitara Bhandar (inner chamber) after 4 decades.

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The Ratna Bhandar in public imagination has been a mysterious place with heavily ornamented doors and guarded by mythical serpents. What exactly is the structure of the treasury?

The Ratna Bhandar is located inside the Jagamohan (assembly hall) of the temple. Contrary to the public perception, both the Bahara (outer) and Bhitara Bhandars are like normal cells. They have grill doors with iron bars through which one can easily see the interiors of both the chambers. Bahara Bhandar has an iron grill gate with a net covering on it. The Bhitara Bhandar is like any other room that has been closed for many decades. However, it is well ventilated due to the opening of the Bahara Bhandar every day. Its floor was neither very damp nor very dry, although there is no denying that it is in urgent need of repair. Also, it is time that we put all the rumours of serpents guarding the jewels to rest. Public should know there is nothing of that sort.

After entering the Ratna Bhandar, what was the first thing that you saw in it?