2024-09-22 14:16:26 :
What is so magical inside the Ratna Bhandar of the Jagannath Temple? The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is trying to find out. State-of-the-art technology is being used to detect whether there are secret tunnels or chambers in the basement of the treasure. The question of whether there are hidden tunnels in the treasure of this historic temple is now being answered with the help of laser scanning and radar.
The Shri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) started the second survey from Saturday, which will continue till September 23. During this period, devotees will not be allowed to enter the temple for darshan between 1 pm and 6 pm. SJTA chief administrator Arvind appealed to the devotees to cooperate in the process.
The investigation was conducted under the supervision of senior officials
Justice Vishwanath Rath, chairman of the Ratna Bhandar Stock Committee, who is involved in the investigation, revealed that from September 21 to 23, the ASI team will investigate whether there are any secret tunnels or chambers inside Ratna Bhandar. For this, state-of-the-art technologies such as laser scanning and radar are being used.
A 17-member ASI team conducted a preliminary inspection of the gem deposit on September 18. It included scientific and technical experts, many of whom were associated with CSIR and the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), Hyderabad.
Also read: Is there a secret cellar in the gem shop at Puri Jagannath temple? Odisha govt to conduct laser scanning to find out
After the gem shop opened, the temple administration shifted all the precious jewellery and items to the safe room. All the work was done as per the standard operating procedure (SOP) prescribed by the state government. Here, regarding the second survey, the SJTA asked the ASI to complete the survey by the same date keeping in mind the special rituals of Durga Puja and Dussehra starting from September 24.
Many local residents believe that there could be a secret tunnel in the inner chambers of the gem shop. Divya Singh Deb, an official associated with the temple, said any kind of secret structure could be detected through laser scanning conducted by the ASI.
Temple treasury reopens after 46 years
The treasury of Lord Jagannath Temple was reopened in July after 46 years. The treasury houses precious jewellery and rare gemstones of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra. The last time the treasury was opened was in 1978, when jewellers were called in, but they too could not estimate the total value of the gemstones.
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