Puri Jagannath Temple, one of India’s revered religious sites, will open up the Ratna Bhandar Treasury for inventory on July 14. Given the potential presence of snakes at Ratna Bhandar Treasury, due to safety precautions being put in place and to provide assistance from skilled snake charmers; SJTA have sought expert assistance by hiring professional snake charmers for safety measures as well as having medical teams on standby equipped with medicine kits if required.
Historical Context
The Ratna Bhandar was last opened to retrieve gold ornaments for Lord Balabhadra on July 14, 1985; since then it has not had a comprehensive inventory since May 13 to July 23, 1978, due to a proposal by a 16-member committee for inventory and conservation purposes. Believable treasure trove, its potential inventory has aroused both curiosity and concern in those familiar with its existence.
Legends and Worries
Legends and folklore about Ratna Bhandar contain folklore about its guarding by poisonous king cobras are pervasive, prompting senior SJTA officials to inform The Times of India: We submitted our draft SOP regarding opening Ratna Bhandar for government approval which requests deployment of both snake charmer as well as doctors/team of doctors during opening of divine treasury>>>.
One member of the committee expressed mixed emotions as she described Ratna Bhandar. Specifically, one servitor expressed both curiosity and fear for any possible snake sightings at Ratna Bhandar; underscoring both aspects of this event: the excitement of discovering historical treasures with fear over finding potentially hazardous reptiles.
Recent Experience and Precautions
Activities at the temple, particularly those associated with its beautification under the Jagannath Heritage Corridor Project, have revealed snakes in its vicinity. Harekrushna Mahapatra noted: It should be remembered that an age-old temple like Ratna Bhandar may contain small holes or cracks where snakes might enter via. Adequate precautions must be taken during opening days for Ratna Bhandar.”
Given these security considerations, SJTA preparations include hiring a snake charmer who is available to safely handle any serpents that might be found and having medical personnel ready should any emergencies arise during inventorying activities. This comprehensive strategy seeks to balance historical artifacts preservation while keeping inventory process personnel safe during inventory procedures.
Conclusion
The unveiling of Puri Jagannath Temple’s Ratna Bhandar at Puri Jagannath Temple marks an extraordinary event steeped both in historical importance and mythological myth. While ancient treasures could potentially be discovered here, tales of serpents guarding it add an air of caution that makes proceedings all the more engaging. With careful planning and safety precautions in place, SJTA aims to discover all its secrets while safeguarding all participants involved.