Bhubaneswar: The much-awaited inspection of the ratna bhandar or treasury of the Jagannath temple in Puri took place on Wednesday but without unlocking the inner chamber that has remained locked for the past 34 years.
Armed with searchlights, the 17-member team, constituted following directives of Orissa High Court, entered the ratna bhandar around 2.25pm and spent nearly 30 minutes examining the structure.
During inspection, the team, consisting of ASI officials, spotted seepages on walls, roof and ceilings of the treasury's outer chamber that stores jewellery used by the Trinity round the year. The inner chamber stores jewellery not used by the Trinity. #Chief administrator of the temple P.K. Jena, who was part of the team, said: "We used brooms to clean cobwebs inside the outer chamber of the ratna bhandar. We touched the walls and found seepage."
Sources said the team had found cracks on treasury roof.
Asked why the inner chamber was not opened, Jena said: "We thought there was no need to enter it as we were able to see the structure from outside through its grilles using powerful searchlights."
Jena said they would submit the inspection report to the court on Thursday. "We will mention everything in the report (about the structural status of the ratna bhandar) to the high court."
ASI expert G.C. Mitra suffered a minor injury during the inspection.
Hours before the team entered the temple a huge crowd had gathered around the shrine. The administration had deployed the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force, members of the Snake Helpline and armed police force at the temple.
Later in the evening, the temple management committee held an emergency meeting under the chairmanship Gajapati Dibya Singh Deb, who is the scion of Puri's erstwhile royal family, in Bhubaneswar. After the meeting, Jena said: "The meeting was essential as we have to place our findings of the ratna bhandar before the management committee. We will also submit an affidavit regarding opening the Jagmohan and repair of the natmandap (dancing hall) of the shrine."
