Odisha to probe why duplicate keys failed to open Jagannath temple Ratna Bhandar locks – Amar Ujala Hindi News Live

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Odisha to probe why duplicate keys failed to open Jagannath temple Ratna Bhandar locks

Lord Jagannath Temple
– Photo: ANI

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The Odisha government will investigate why the locks of the inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandaar, the treasury of the 12th century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, could not be opened with duplicate keys on July 14. The Ratna Bhandaar was reopened on Sunday after 46 years for inventory of valuables and repair of its structure.

Shree Jagannath Temple Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhi had said that members of a special committee had tried to open three locks on the doors of the inner chamber of the treasury. But none of them could be opened with the two ‘duplicate’ keys available with the Puri district administration.

Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said, during the previous BJD government, lies were spread about the availability of duplicate keys of Ratna Bhandar. This matter will definitely be investigated. Sri Jagannath Temple is under the Law Department of the State Government. He said that who had talked about duplicate keys and on whose instructions it was done will also be investigated.

On April 4, 2018, the government tried to reopen the Ratna Bhandar for physical inspection, but the attempt failed as the keys were not found. A few days later, the government said that duplicate keys had been found. The minister said that if anyone had ever touched the ornaments of Lord Jagannath, he would definitely have to face the consequences. Harichandan said, I hope such an incident would not have happened.

The reopening of Ratna Bhandar was a major political issue during the recent assembly elections. The BJP has formed the government by ousting the BJD, which was in power for 24 years. Senior BJD leader Amar Prasad Satpathy demanded that the report of the Justice Raghubir Das Commission, set up to investigate the disappearance of the keys of the treasury of the 12th century temple, be made public. The BJD leader said that the government should present the report of the commission without further investigation into the matter.