The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will undertake a reconnaissance survey of both the inner and outer chambers of the Ratna Bhandar, the treasure house of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, on September 18, 2024. The survey is a preliminary step towards assessing the structural condition of the chambers and planning for future repair and renovation work.

Arabinda Padhee, Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), shared the news on social media, stating that the survey will be conducted by a team led by the Additional Director General (Conservation) of ASI, along with experts from the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The decision to conduct the survey was made after discussions with temple officials and sevayats (servitors), in accordance with a government-approved Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

The SJTA had earlier, on August 24, requested the ASI to begin scanning and geo-physical investigations of the Ratna Bhandar using advanced technology, as a precursor to the restoration process. The request followed the shifting of seven empty iron chests and almirahs from the Ratna Bhandar to a temporary location near Niladri Vihar Museum within the temple complex on July 14 and July 18, 2024. The Ratna Bhandar, which houses precious ornaments and valuables, had been opened for the first time in 46 years.

The upcoming survey will be conducted in collaboration with institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) or the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), which specialize in technical and structural inspections of heritage sites. The ASI will ensure that the inspection does not cause any harm to the 12th-century shrine, a revered pilgrimage site. The survey marks an important step towards safeguarding the historic treasure of Lord Jagannath’s temple, with advanced scientific methods playing a crucial role in its preservation.