Bhubaneswar: Renowned sand artist and member of Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee Sudarshan Pattnaik has sought the intervention of temple panel chairman and Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb in the opening of Srimandir Ratna Bhandar. Writing a letter to the King, Pattnaik said the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee should request the government to open Ratna Bhandar as the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has given a requisition August 8, 2022 for inspection of inner Ratna Bhandar. “Why this matter is not brought to the notice of the Managing Committee through the agenda for discussion, as it is a matter of safety and security?” he asked the Gajapati Maharaja. The sand artist also urged Deb to intervene in reopening of the other three gates of the temple, which remained closed since Covid-19 pandemic. “We all are aware that there is a huge discontentment among the devotees and the locals regarding the closing of three doors.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, three doors were closed for the devotees, but why the same have not been opened for the devotees?” he said in his letter. He also asked the Puri king to inform the devotees about the reasons for not opening the three gates. “If there is any reason behind not opening other doors, we should inform devotees in a proper manner,” he said. He demanded that at least one door should be opened immediately for the locals. Pattnaik urged the Gajapati Maharaja to take the necessary steps to resolve these issues.
Meanwhile, Mamata Sahu, a resident of Bhubaneswar and a native of Puri, said, “I have heard about the miraculous tales of the Lord and it never stops to amaze me. It is all about our beliefs and if our forefathers have believed that it’s better not to open the temple treasure, then I think we should abide by them. But if most of the devotees feel it should be opened then it should be done.” Mamata also mentioned the inconvenience faced by devotees at the temple every day due to the three closed gates. It delays their chores and routine. “The opening of the three gates will definitely reduce the rush at Singhadwar. The committee should at least open one door for the time being,” she said.
