Puri: The Odisha unit of Congress today took out a rally in Puri town demanding the opening of Ratna Bhandar of the Srimandir here and all gates of the temple.

Many workers and several leaders of the party led by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Sarat Pattanayak embarked on a rally from the Gundicha Temple here to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration's office.

The leaders then met the Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration while Pattanayak handed over a memorandum to him at the office.

"It is unfortunate that the state government has remained reluctant to open all four gates of Srimandir. The Congress party will intensify its agitation if the government fails to meet our demands before the month of Kartik," said Pattanayak.

"As the COVID pandemic is over, what justification is there for keeping the gates of Srimandir closed?" he questioned.

On the other hand, the BJP also criticized the state government over this matter.

"Back in August, the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee had urged the Orissa High Court and the Odisha government for the reopening of the Ratna Bhandar. However, it appears the committee's focus has shifted towards matters like dress codes, rather than taking concrete steps to reopen the Ratna Bhandar. We have planned to consult Puri Gajapati Maharaja soon, as he has been advocating for the Ratna Bhandar's reopening and its inventory," said BJP leader Samir Mohanty.