Odisha: ASI completes laser scanning of Jagannath temple Ratna Bhandar

Bhubaneswar: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has completed laser scanning of Jagannath temple Ratna Bhandar at Odisha’s Puri town.

A 16-member team of the ASI took two days to complete the laser scanning of the outer portion of the temple treasury. The team captured photos of 45 points on the outer wall of Ratna Bhandar and the process is on for documentation of those pictures, sources said.

“We have completed the laser scanning of outer wall of the Jagannath temple Ratna Bhandar and informed this to shrine authorities. If required, we will seek permission from the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) to conduct laser scanning of the inner portion of Ratna Bhandar,” said an ASI Superintendent DB Gadanayak.

The experts will examine the photos taken during the laser scanning to detect any crack on Ratna Bhandar wall. A blueprint will be prepared for renovation of the structure, he added.

SJTA Chief Administrator Ranjan Kumar Das said shrine authorities are waiting for the findings of the laser scanning to know the exact structural status of the temple treasury. “We will examine the findings and take appropriate steps in this regard. Now, we cannot say anything regarding the structural status of Ratna Bhandar,” he added.