LI Network
Published on: 01 October 2023 at 11:53 IST
The Orissa High Court has issued a directive for collaboration between the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the managing committee of the Jagannath Temple in Puri regarding the conservation work of the Ratna Bhandar, the temple’s treasury.
The ruling came in response to a petition filed by BJP leader Samir Mohanty. The Court, while refusing to interfere in the matter, cited the Supreme Court’s 2019 observation that the Shri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC) is the sole repository of faith.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice S. Talapatra and Justice Savitri Ratho emphasized the importance of the temple as a symbol of faith for millions of people.
The petitioner, Samir Mohanty, raised concerns about the safety of the Ratna Bhandar and transparency regarding the valuable articles stored within it.
The High Court, acknowledging the significance of these concerns, directed the State Government to form a High-Level Committee within sixty days of SJTMC’s approach.
This committee would assist SJTMC in the process of inventorying the valuables, including jewelry, stored in the Ratna Bhandar. The Court also emphasized that if the SJTMC seeks cooperation from the state government, it should actively participate in efficient management.
The Court referred to a meeting held in August between ASI and SJTMC, where detailed discussions regarding the conservation and repair of Ratna Bhandar, as well as a fresh inventory of valuables, took place. It was decided in the meeting that Ratna Bhandar would be opened and repaired during the next Rath Yatra.
The Court dismissed the petitioner’s request for immediate intervention and stated that a high-level committee, led by a retired high court or Supreme Court judge, would supervise the inventory process if SJTMC approaches the state government for cooperation.
This directive underscores the temple’s central role in the faith of millions and highlights the collaborative efforts being made to ensure the preservation of its historical and religious treasures.