Puri: The long-awaited inventory of the Ratna Bhandar of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri begins today, with all preparations completed under strict security arrangements.

According to temple authorities, the inventory of ornaments and valuables will be conducted within a tight security cordon. Only authorised individuals will be allowed to participate in the process, following a strict Standard Operating Procedure. Participants will enter the temple between 12:09 pm and 1:45 pm and must adhere to traditional dress codes.

The administration has ensured that the ongoing rituals of the deities and darshan for devotees continue without disruption. The SOP has been designed to maintain a balance between temple traditions and the inventory exercise.

After the counting is completed, the inventory will be cross-checked with records from 1978. Each ornament will also be weighed and properly identified. Two gemologists have been appointed to assist in identifying the ornaments, while digital photography will be carried out for documentation.

Following identification, counting and weighing, the ornaments will be securely wrapped in multiple layers and stored in six specially prepared chests. Gold ornaments will be placed on yellow cloth, silver items on white cloth, and other ornaments on red cloth before being arranged systematically inside the chests.

The process will involve temple servitors, officials from government banks, gemologists, and representatives from the Reserve Bank of India.

Temple rituals will continue as usual during the process, with authorised servitors allowed to enter the Jagamohan and sanctum sanctorum. However, as a security measure, public darshan from Bhitara Katha will remain restricted. Devotees will be allowed to have darshan only from the Bahara Katha.

The temple administration has urged devotees to extend full cooperation during the inventory process.