Bhubaneswar, Nov 1: Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan confirmed on Friday that no secret tunnel or chamber exists inside the Ratna Bhandar of Puri's Jagannath Temple.

Addressing the media, Harichandan stated, "The Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has verified that there are no secret chambers or tunnels in the Ratna Bhandar." He noted that the survey did reveal some cracks inside the Ratna Bhandar, which the ASI plans to repair after Kartika Purnima.

The minister added that the state government is awaiting the final report from the ASI, which will be published soon. "Due to the large crowds during Kartika month, repair work is not feasible at the moment. Repairs will begin after Kartika Purnima and are expected to be completed within one to two months," Harichandan stated.

In response to questions, he mentioned that the counting of valuables will occur once repairs are finished, and the process will be conducted within the Ratna Bhandar, ensuring strict security measures.

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