India
Ratna Bhandar Opening: Curious Devotees Stream Into Puri Jagannath Temple | India News – Times of India
PURI: Excitement filled the air Pure city on Sunday as people waited with bated breath for the revelation of what was inside the Ratna Bhandarthe sacred and spiritual treasury of Lord Jagannathwhich is surrounded by many legends. The atmosphere was charged with a mix of concern and enthusiasm among the devotees during the opening of the treasury in the Puri Jagannath Temple.
Many devotees visited Puri to witness the historic event, besides paying respects to the sister deities at the Gundicha temple. Curious pilgrims stood outside the Jagannath temple to witness a range of activities to mark the occasion inventory from the treasury.
There were restrictions on people entering the Jagannath Temple before the 11-member team opened the Ratna Bhandar. When new wooden coffins were brought to the Jagannath Temple, people could not resist taking pictures of the coffins. They asked people standing in front of the temple about the coffins.
Ranjan Kumar Swain, a devotee from Nayagarh, expressed his joy at the opening of Ratna Bhandar. “We have been eagerly waiting for the day. Odia’s should know the state of the treasury of Lord Jagannath. I have come all the way from Nayagarh to witness the event,” said the youth.
Bimala Mohapatra, a senior citizen from Dhenkanal, said that the inventory of the Lord’s treasury should be done in a transparent and systematic manner. “I am happy that Ratna Bhandar has been opened for repair and inventory. Lord Jagannath is our identity and we are proud of our Lord,” she added.
Abhisek Das, an activist, said he had filed a PIL with the Orissa High Court in 2016 to open Ratna Bhandar. “In 2018, the Supreme Court had passed an order in our favour. But the enumeration process could not be started during the previous government due to the loss of the key of Ratna Bhandar’s inner chamber. I am happy that this new government has implemented the Supreme Court order. It is a dream come true for Odias like me,” he added.
Some foreigners and non-Odias were among the curious devotees at the Puri Jagannath temple. They also witnessed the hustle and bustle outside the temple. “I came to Puri for the Rath Yatra festival. When I heard about the opening of Ratna Bhandar of the sister deities, I stayed back to soak up the atmosphere outside the temple. I feel privileged to be here today,” said Mohini Basu, a devotee from Kolkata.
Many devotees visited Puri to witness the historic event, besides paying respects to the sister deities at the Gundicha temple. Curious pilgrims stood outside the Jagannath temple to witness a range of activities to mark the occasion inventory from the treasury.
There were restrictions on people entering the Jagannath Temple before the 11-member team opened the Ratna Bhandar. When new wooden coffins were brought to the Jagannath Temple, people could not resist taking pictures of the coffins. They asked people standing in front of the temple about the coffins.
Ranjan Kumar Swain, a devotee from Nayagarh, expressed his joy at the opening of Ratna Bhandar. “We have been eagerly waiting for the day. Odia’s should know the state of the treasury of Lord Jagannath. I have come all the way from Nayagarh to witness the event,” said the youth.
Bimala Mohapatra, a senior citizen from Dhenkanal, said that the inventory of the Lord’s treasury should be done in a transparent and systematic manner. “I am happy that Ratna Bhandar has been opened for repair and inventory. Lord Jagannath is our identity and we are proud of our Lord,” she added.
Abhisek Das, an activist, said he had filed a PIL with the Orissa High Court in 2016 to open Ratna Bhandar. “In 2018, the Supreme Court had passed an order in our favour. But the enumeration process could not be started during the previous government due to the loss of the key of Ratna Bhandar’s inner chamber. I am happy that this new government has implemented the Supreme Court order. It is a dream come true for Odias like me,” he added.
Some foreigners and non-Odias were among the curious devotees at the Puri Jagannath temple. They also witnessed the hustle and bustle outside the temple. “I came to Puri for the Rath Yatra festival. When I heard about the opening of Ratna Bhandar of the sister deities, I stayed back to soak up the atmosphere outside the temple. I feel privileged to be here today,” said Mohini Basu, a devotee from Kolkata.
