The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has started a second survey of the Ratna Bandar of the Jagannath temple from Saturday. The survey will last for three days. During this period, it will be ascertained whether there are secret cellars or tunnels inside the gem shop. State-of-the-art radar and other equipment are being used for the survey.
According to the agency, during this survey, the Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has prohibited devotees from entering the temple and worshipping the deity between 1 pm and 6 pm. SJTA chief administrator Arvind called on devotees to cooperate.
Justice Vishwanath Rath, chairman of the Ratna Bhandar Stock Committee, which is involved in the investigation, said the ASI will conduct a survey from September 21 to 23 to see if there is any secret tunnel or chamber inside the gem shop.
Also read: Is there a secret cellar in the gem shop at Puri Jagannath temple? Odisha govt to conduct laser scanning to find out
In the first phase, a 17-member team of ASI conducted preliminary inspection and laser scanning of the gem deposits on September 18. The team also included scientific and technical experts, many of whom were from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), Hyderabad.
SJTA appealed that the ASI investigation should be completed by September 24, keeping in mind the special rituals of Durga Puja and Dussehra, which begin from September 24. The temple management has temporarily shifted all jewellery and valuables from the gem shop to the safe room. All the work is being done as per the standard operating procedure (SOP) prescribed by the state government.
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