No clue yet on Ratna Bhandar's lost key

PURI: Though efforts are one to trace the lost key of Srimandir's Ratna Bhandar, both the temple and district administration are clueless in this regard. The matter came to light after the District Magistrate revealed that the key of Srimandir's treasure trove or Ratna Bhandar was missing.According to Sri Jagannath Temple Act, the key should be kept in the State Government treasury. There is a single key for Ratna Bhandar. The other two treasury rooms, which are used daily, have three keys. Of these three keys, one lies with the temple treasurer and the other two are with the King and temple administration.

After returning from the temple on April 4, the District Magistrate asked the Government Treasury Officer about the key. Sources said that the DM found out that the key was not handed over to the treasury after closing of the 'bhandar' in 1985.Old records of the temple were being searched to trace the key, sources added. During the preliminary inspection of Ratna Bhandar rooms from a window by a 17-member team, it was observed that there were cracks and dampness on the wall.The final inspection report will be presented within a month. Locals are expecting that the team will make suggestion for its repair. But, in the absence of the key, the repair work is likely to suffer.