Puri (14 January 2025): The repair work of the Sri Jagannath Temple's Ratna Bhandar is set to be completed by March. Currently halted for the Makar Sankranti rituals, the repairs will resume on January 17. Law Minister Pratap Jena has informed that the repair work will be finished before March. ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) had initially requested three months for the repairs, but efforts are being made to complete it sooner.
The ASI started the repair work on December 17 of last year, and significant progress has been made. The de-plastering and removal of lime from the inner walls have been nearly completed. However, due to the influx of devotees during Christmas and New Year, the work was temporarily stopped. It resumed on January 3 but was paused again for the Makar Sankranti rituals.
The repair work involves heavy iron scaffolding and the replacement of cracked stones. According to guidelines, repairs will be carried out from 12:30 PM to 6 PM, after the second Bhog Mandap. The ASI is diligently following these guidelines to ensure timely completion.
After the repairs, a comprehensive audit of the treasures will be conducted. Despite previous plans to finish by the end of January, repeated halts have delayed the project.
The temple administration and ASI are working closely to ensure the repairs are completed efficiently and that the sacred rituals of the temple remain uninterrupted.
