Bhubaneswar: Puri king and chairman of Jagannath Temple managing committee, Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb, has emphasized that no rigid deadline should be imposed on the ongoing inventory of the Ratna Bhandar, which resumed Wednesday after it began on March 25 after 48 years.The last inventory, conducted between May 13 and July 23, 1978, spanned 72 days. Deb noted that those engaged in the process should be given sufficient time to ensure accuracy and uphold the highest standards. “They should not be rushed. They should be given ample time. The inventorisation must be meticulous and scientifically sound,” he said after inspecting the work inside the Ratna Bhandar.Currently, the valuables of the outer chamber are being digitally catalogued. “As per the government-approved standard operating procedure, jewellery is being documented with advanced tools, including 3D mapping and videography,” Deb said.The second phase of the inventory will continue till April 11, resume on April 13, and again from April 16 to 18. Law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan stated that the govt plans to complete the process by the Debasnana Purnima festival on June 29. “This month, we plan to carry out the inventory for 10 to 12 days,” he said, adding that the newly compiled list is being cross-verified against earlier records.The 1978 audit listed 454 gold items weighing 12,838 bharis (one bhari equals around 10 to 11 grams) and 293 silver items weighing 22,153 bharis. The inner chamber then contained 367 gold ornaments, including necklaces, chains, and crowns, totalling 4,364 bharis, along with 231 silver items weighing 14,878 bharis. The outer chamber housed 87 gold items weighing 8,474 bharis and 62 silver items weighing 7,274 bharis.
