Puri: The Ratna Bhandar at Jagannath Temple in Puri needs to be repaired, opined Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb after returning from the temple.

"It is indispensable to repair both the outer and inner chamber of Ratna Bhandar. After shifting the valuables from the inner chamber to a temporary strong room, we will hand over to the ASI for repair work," the King told reporters after inspecting the shifting work of valuables.

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"The shifting process is underway. The valuables stored in almirahs and chests are being shifted to the 'Khata Seja' room - a temporary strong room with high security inside the temple. The shifting process may be completed by evening. The strong room where the valuables shifted from the outer chamber of the Ratna Bhandar is under CCTV surveillance round-the-clock. The iron door will be completely sealed after shifting the containers from the inner chamber to the temporary room. The SJTA chief administrator will submit the key to the government treasury as per the Shree Jagannath Temple rules," Puri Gajapati said.

Speaking on reopening of Ratna Bhandar, he said, "The process has just begun. After vacating the Ratna Bhandar both outer and inner chambers, the structure will be inspected using high technology instruments and scanning. When the temple administration will be convinced that there is nothing left inside the inner chamber, the ASI authorities will be handed over charge for the conservation. We don't know when the Bhandar room had been repaired in the past. We have no evidence about repair work since 1971 when the ASI took over the charge for repairing the ancient temple. Therefore, the repair of Ratna Bhandar is very necessary."

Earlier in the day, the King had visited the temple an hour after an 11-member team including SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee and Justice Biswanath Rath entered the temple for second time in a week for reopening the inner chamber of Ratna Bhandar to shift the containers containing precious jewellries and ornaments of Lord Jagannath.

As per the rules, the King entered the temple through south gate for inspection of the shifting process.

The Ratna Bhandar was opened on July 14 (Sunday) after 46 years. The temple's treasury was last opened in 1978. The counting process of valuables took more than 70 days.