PURI JAGANNATH TEMPLE

As Assembly and General elections draw closer in Odisha, the demand to open the Ratna Bhandar (treasure room) of the Puri Jagannath Temple is growing louder again. The treasure room at the temple has not been unlocked for three decades.

What is Ratna Bhandar of Puri Jagannath Temple?

• The Ratna  Bhandar  of  the  Puri  Jagannath  Temple  houses         precious ornaments donated by devotees and erstwhile  kings.

• It comprises two chambers: The Bhitar Bhandar (inner chamber) and Bahara Bhandar (outer chamber).
  • The outer chamber is opened regularly to fetch ornaments for the The inner chamber has not opened in the past 38 years.

• Process to Open the Treasure House: Permission from the Odisha government is required. An attempt in 2018 was unsuccessful due to missing A judicial inquiry was ordered to investigate the key’s loss.

Puri Jagannath Temple:

• The Jagannath Temple is one of the four dhams (char dham) where Lord Jagannath, a form of Lord Vishnu, is worshipped  there  with  His  elder brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Devi Subhadra
  • Others three are (Dwarika, Badrinath & Rameswar).

• The present temple was built in the 12th century and begun by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, first of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.

• The image of Jagannath is made of wood and is ceremoniously replaced periodically by an exact  replica.

• It is built in the Kalinga style of architecture, with the Pancharatha (Five chariots) and is built on an elevated platform.

      Feature of Kalinga style of architecture:

• Resembles Nagara style but with a distinctive regional variation.
• Exhibits a step-like built structure.
• Follows the Rekha Deula architectural style, comprising the sanctum sanctorum (deula), Mukhashalam, Nata mandir, and Bhoga Mandapa.