The inventory and verification process (Ganati-Manati) of ornaments and other valuables stored inside the Ratna Bhandar (treasure trove) of the Jagannath Temple in Puri has successfully completed its eighth day, temple authorities confirmed on Friday.

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The counting exercise began on Thursday evening at around 6:30 PM and continued till 10:10 PM, lasting nearly three hours and forty minutes. According to senior officials associated with the inventory process, each ornament taken up for counting is being carefully identified, matched with existing records, and systematically documented.

The process has become more time-consuming as many of the ornaments under verification are embedded with precious stones, including gemstones, requiring detailed examination. As a result, authorities are carrying out thorough identification, cross-verification, videography, and photography of each item to ensure complete transparency and accuracy.

SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee stated that all procedures are being conducted strictly in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the State government. He further informed that the entire exercise is being carried out under CCTV surveillance, while an e-catalogue of the precious ornaments is also being prepared simultaneously.

Officials said three special chests are being used during the counting and verification process, with each ornament carefully matched against official inventory records to avoid any discrepancy. SJTA authorities maintained that the exercise is progressing smoothly and accurately under the blessings of Lord Jagannath.

Retired Justice Biswanath Rath, who is associated with the monitoring process, described the inventory work as a highly complex and sensitive exercise, noting that identifying and documenting centuries-old temple jewellery requires patience, precision, and multiple levels of verification.

“We are currently going through a complex situation with the jewellery. Because various types of ornaments, various types of pearls and rubies are embedded in the jewellery, we have to examine them one by one. So, I can say this much: whatever we did yesterday, we have done double the work today. The time taken is a bit more compared to yesterday, but perhaps God has helped us to speed up a bit today. We have been able to do double the work today,” Justice Rath said in a presser.

The temple authorities also informed that the counting process will remain suspended on Saturday, May 30. A meeting of the Chhatisha Nijog is scheduled for May 31, where discussions will be held regarding the smooth and disciplined conduct of the upcoming Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra festivals.

In addition, a management committee meeting is expected to be held in the first week of June to review the ongoing Ratna Bhandar inventory process and related administrative arrangements.