The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) is to carry out the proposed laser scanning of Ratnabhandar in the Puri Jagannath Temple which is to begin on Tuesday. After completion of the scanning, the ASI would submit its report to the technical expert team for review, informed Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Ranjan Kumar Das on Monday.
“A decision pertaining to the repair of Ratnabhandar will be taken accordingly based on a status report submitted by the ASI. Keeping in mind a large congregation of devotees at the shrine on the occasion of Kartik Purnima, the laser scanning of Bahara Ratnabhandar (Outer Treasury) will be done on November 28. A discussion was held in this regard with the ASI. However, the Bhitara Ratnabhandar (Inner Treasury) will be scanned at a specific time,” he informed.
Moreover, the outer walls of Ratnabhandar would be conducted first so that minute details of the cracks and other damages, if any, can be detected. If required, the Bhitara Ratnabhandar and different Parshwa Debata temples would subsequently be scanned. A scanning machine has already reached the ASI authorities and all necessary cooperation and assistance would be provided by the SJTA, Das said.