The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has written to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) seeking permission to enter the ratna bhandar (temple treasury) of Lord Jagannath and repair it.

The treasury is located inside the shrine. The conservation and repair work of the 12th-century shrine is the responsibility of the ASI.

“We have been urging the Odisha government to allow us to go inside the ratna bhandar to see the condition of its roof, chamber, and wall. Unless we get permission, we cannot do anything,” said a senior official of the ASI in Odisha.

ASI’s seeking permission assumes significance as only a few days ago a large chunk of plaster fell off from the roof of the chamber of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, raising serious concern about the safety of the temple. In the past, stones have fallen from the temple on many occasions but no one has been injured so far.

Shree Jagannath Temple officials maintained that the letter would be placed at the temple management committee for approval.

“After its approval, it will be sent for the approval of the Odisha government. After the state government gives its nod, a detailed procedure will be chalked out on how to open the ratna bhandar,” said a senior official of the SJTA.

An attempt was made to open the ratna bhandar on April 4, 2018, following a directive from Orissa High Court.

However, the search operation was aborted at the last moment as the administration failed to locate the key of the ratna bhandar.

The team comprising Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials, representatives of servitors, members of temple administration, including collector, inspected the ratna bhandar from outside and reported that everything was intact inside but needed repair. The ratna bhandar was last opened in 1982.

Precious gold jewellery, gems, pearls and rare diamonds apart from silver and other decorative items of the three presiding temple deities — Lord Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra — are stored in the ratna bhandar.

The temple has been receiving donations from devotees across the country, the most illustrious of the donors being the Hindu kings of Odisha, Maharashtra and Punjab.