Puri Jagannath Temple Vault Jewel Count Set for New Year; No Hidden Tunnel Found, Confirms Govt

PURI: Preparations for counting the jewels in Puri’s historic Jagannath Temple vault, the Ratnabhandar, are set to commence early next year, with a structural report due within the week.

Addressing longstanding rumors, the state government confirmed that no hidden tunnels were found within the Ratnabhandar following a recent GPR survey, which also revealed minor, non-threatening cracks in the vault.

Structural repairs by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) are scheduled to begin after the Kartik Purnima festival, with crowds of devotees expected during this period.

State Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan stated that the upcoming jewel inventory will bring clarity and ensure the treasures’ security, marking a step toward transparency about the temple’s prized assets.