The Ongoing Debate Over Puri Jagannath Temple’s Ratna Bhandar

Context:

• There is a growing demand to open the Ratna Bhandar (treasure room) of the Puri Jagannath Temple.

Jagannath Temple Ratna Bhandar: A Precious Heritage Enshrined in Secrecy

• The Ratna Bhandar of the Puri Jagannath Temple houses precious ornaments donated by devotees and erstwhile kings. 
• Ratna Bhandar comprises two chambers: The Bhitar Bhandar (inner chamber) and Bahara Bhandar (outer chamber).
  • The outer chamber is opened regularly to fetch ornaments for the deities. 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 keys. A judicial inquiry was ordered to investigate the key’s loss.

Jagannath Temple: A Timeless Marvel of Kalinga Architecture and Devotion

• The Jagannath Temple is one of the four dhams (char dham) where Lord Jagannath, a form of Lord Vishnu, is worshiped there with His elder brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Devi Subhadra 
  • Other than Jagannath Temple, the 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.
• Jagannath Temple 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.

News Source: The Indian Express