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Odisha CM Chairs Key Meeting on Jagannath Temple Jewelry Counting SOP

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi chaired a crucial meeting to establish the Standard Operating Procedure for counting the sacred jewelry in the Jagannath Temple's Ratna Bhandar. Minister Prithviraj Harichandan stated that the process and date will be announced once the SOP is approved by the managing committee. Separately, CM Majhi announced significant progress on the redevelopment of Bhubaneswar's Lingaraj Temple, confirming the completion of the Phase One tender. His government has allocated a total of Rs 330 crore for the comprehensive development of the Ekamra Kshetra to improve the experience for devotees.

Key Points: Odisha CM Majhi Chairs Meeting on Temple Jewelry Counting SOP

  • High-level meeting on Ratna Bhandar SOP
  • Jewelry counting process & date pending approval
  • CM also announces progress on Lingaraj Temple project
  • Over Rs 300 crore allocated for temple development
2 min read

Odisha CM Majhi chairs high-level meeting on SOP for counting Sri Mandir Ratna Bhandar jewellery

Odisha CM Mohan Majhi leads high-level meeting to finalize SOP for counting sacred jewelry in Puri's Jagannath Temple Ratna Bhandar.

"Hopefully, we will try our level best to start this process at the soonest possible time. - Prithviraj Harichandan"

Bhubaneswar, February 17

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi chaired a high-level meeting over the counting of Sri Mandir Ratna Bhandar's Jewellery in Bhubaneswar.

Informing about the development on Monday, Odisha Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said that the main agenda of the meeting was related to the standard procedure of counting of Jewellery in Ratna Bhandar. Once the Standard Operating Procedure is approved, the process and date will be announced by the managing committee.

"We had a meeting regarding the standard operating procedure for counting of jewellery in Ratna Bhandar...After the SOP is approved, the process and date will be announced by the managing committee...Hopefully, we will try our level best to start this process at the soonest possible time," Harichandan told ANI.

The Ratna Bhandar of Sri Mandir in Odisha refers to the sacred treasury chamber of the Jagannath Temple in Puri.

Last year, on July 14, the Ratna Bhandar of the Shri Jagannath Temple was reopened after more than four decades. Special boxes were also brought to the temple ahead of the reopening of the Ratna Bhandar to store ornaments.

Earlier, on February 16, 2026, CM Majhi, accompanied by his wife, offered prayers at the historic Lingaraj Temple on the occasion of Mahashivratri before announcing significant progress on the temple's redevelopment project.

The CM confirmed that the Phase One tender process is complete and work is imminent, with a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a second phase also in preparation.

Speaking to the media, he said, "Today is the sacred occasion of Maha Shivratri. On this occasion, I extend my greetings and best wishes to all devotees. The Ekamra Kshetra of Lord Lingaraj in Bhubaneswar is a renowned Shaivite centre of India. For the peripheral development and beautification of Lord Lingaraj's Ekamra Kshetra, our government, since coming to power, has allotted 180 crore rupees in the first phase for the Lingaraj project. The tender process has already been completed, and work is about to begin."

"In total, since our government came to power, we have made financial provisions of 330 crore rupees. This is to ensure that devotees visiting Lord Lingaraj can have a smooth darshan (worship), perform their rituals well, and receive his blessings. Our government is fully committed to this complete development," the Chief Minister added.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul R
Finally some action! It was opened last year after 46 years and now they are making a procedure for counting. Hope they involve reputed agencies and temple trustees to ensure complete transparency. The devotees deserve to know.
A
Ashwin V
Good to see focus on both Puri and Bhubaneswar temples. The Lingaraj project funding is substantial. However, I hope the Ratna Bhandar counting isn't rushed. It's a sacred task, not an administrative checkbox. Accuracy over speed, please.
S
Sarah B
As someone who visited Puri last year, the spiritual energy is incredible. It's heartening to see the government taking temple management and heritage so seriously. The detailed planning for counting the jewellery shows respect for the institution.
K
Karthik V
While the development funds for Lingaraj temple are welcome, my only request to the CM is: please ensure the ancient structures and the traditional rituals are not disturbed in the name of "beautification". The soul of the temple is in its antiquity.
M
Meera T
The Ratna Bhandar contains centuries of offerings from kings and commoners alike. This counting process must be done with utmost devotion and recorded meticulously. Hope they live stream parts of it (where permissible) to build public confidence.

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