Bhubaneswar: Jagananth Temple administration on Monday said they would not prepare inventory of the precious gold jewellery, gems, pearls and rare diamonds stored in the ratna bhandar, the mystery-wrapped treasury of Lord Jagannath. A decision to this effect was taken at the meeting of the sub-committee of the ratna bhandar.

Temple chief administrator P.K. Jena said: "As per the direction of the high court, we will do the required inspection of the ceiling and walls of the ratna bhandar. But no one should reach a conclusion that we will do the inventory of it."

Sources said the temple administration took the decision following a widespread resentment against the move to make an inventory of the jewellery of Lord Jagannath.

Jena said: "During the inspection, the temple administration would strictly implement a standard operating procedure which will be made public. The servitors will be consulted on the issue."

Earlier on Monday morning, a team of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) inspected the ratna bhandar from outside. They could not enter inside as the state government is yet to give its nod to the temple administration to allow the ASI to enter inside the ratna bhandar.

The ASI inspected the treasury from outside following a direction from Orissa High Court. As per the direction, the ASI conducted the probe on Monday and would do the inspection on Tueday. However, to conduct an inspection in the inner chamber of the ratna bhandar, the temple administration on behalf of the ASI, has to take the permission from the state government.

ASI member Himadri Bihari Hota said: "Unless we go inside the ratna bhandar, we can not reach a conclusion about the condition of it. We need to go inside."

Narayan Mekap, one of the servitors who is allowed to enter to the ratna bhandar, said: " We have noticed seepage inside the Ratna Bhandar. I have seen it from outside. But I have no idea about the inner chamber."

Puri MLA and revenue minister Maheswar Mohanty said: "This is a sensitive matter. We will take a decision after consulting people from all walks of life."

Precious gold jewellery, gems, pearls and rare diamonds, apart from silver and other decorative items of the three presiding temple deities - Lord Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra - are stored in the ratna bhandar. The temple treasure has been receiving donations from devotees across the country, the most illustrious of the donors being the former Hindu kings of Odisha, Maharashtra and Punjab.