After 48 years, Puri Jagannath temple’s Ratna Bhandar inventory starts: How ‘secret chambers’ will be audited
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Context
After a gap of 48 years, an inventory of the treasures stored in the Ratna Bhandar (treasure trove) of the 12th-century has commenced. The process, ordered by the , involves a multi-agency committee including representatives from the and the . This audit aims to document, catalogue, and conduct 3D digitisation of the temple's valuables to ensure transparency and proper preservation for the future.
UPSC Perspectives
Polity & Governance
This event highlights the complex relationship between the state and religious institutions in India. Under the principle of Indian secularism, the state is empowered to regulate the secular activities of religious bodies, such as financial administration and property management, to ensure good governance. of the Constitution allows the state to make laws for regulating or restricting any economic, financial, political, or other secular activity associated with religious practice.. In this case, the Odisha state government's formation of supervisory and handling committees is an exercise of this power. The administration of the temple is specifically governed by the [Shri Jagannath Temple Act, 1955], which provides the legal framework for the state to oversee its management.. This act established the Shri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee to govern the temple, superseding prior arrangements.. The inventory process, therefore, is not an interference in religious rituals but a governance reform aimed at accountability and transparency in managing a significant public endowment.
History & Culture
The inventory of the is a crucial step in cultural heritage management. The , an architectural marvel of the Kalinga style, is a monument of immense historical and religious significance. Its treasures are part of India's tangible heritage. The role of the in this process is vital.. The , established under the [AMASR Act, 1958] (Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act), is the primary agency for the protection of monuments of national importance.. The Act empowers the to conserve and preserve such sites.. The use of modern techniques like 3D digitisation and photography during the inventory is a significant advancement in preservation. It creates a permanent, high-fidelity record of the artefacts, which serves multiple purposes: it aids in future conservation efforts, provides an accurate basis for security, and ensures that the cultural legacy is documented for posterity, protecting it against loss, theft, or damage.
Legal & Judicial
The initiation of the inventory following a directive from the [Orissa High Court] demonstrates the judiciary's role in enforcing administrative accountability. This is an example of judicial oversight, where courts intervene to ensure that public authorities and institutions, including temple management committees established by law, perform their duties transparently and responsibly. The judiciary acts as a guardian of public trust and ensures that the provisions of acts like the are implemented correctly. While [Article 26] of the Constitution grants religious denominations the right to manage their own affairs, this right is subject to law, public order, morality, and health.. The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that the administration of a religious institution's properties is a secular activity that can be regulated by the state through legislation.. The High Court's order ensures that the executive (the temple committee and the state government) fulfills its statutory obligations regarding the proper management and documentation of the temple's invaluable assets.