Age-old weapons discovered in Puri Jagannath Temple’s Ratna Bhandar

Age-old weapons including swords, spears, and javelins used in battles were found in the Puri Jagannath Temple’s Ratna Bhandar during the shifting of valuables on Thursday, reported TOI.

The Ratna Bhandar was reopened by the Odisha government on July 14 for restoration and inventory after 46 years.

“We found some ancient idols in Ratna Bhandar on July 14. We have now come across a few swords and javelins near a wooden chest within the inner chamber. The weapons were very heavy and had turned black,” said one of the 11 committee members who entered the treasury to TOI.



Ratna Bhandar supervisory committee chairman Biswanath Rath told journalists that they have “carefully sealed and preserved the battle items in the temporary strongroom.”

Rath, a retired Orissa High Court judge, did not provide the details of the weapons, their numbers, or the era to which they belonged.

The weapons show that the 12-century CE shrine has connection to the kings who ruled the region. It also offers a glimpse into the treasures they accumulated over centuries.


According to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, Anantavarman Chodaganga Dev of the Eastern Ganga dynasty built the Puri temple in the 1190s.The 214-foot-tall temple is spread over 10.7 acres with 95 subsidiary shrines on its premises.

“Jagannath Temple had been invaded and plundered 18 times. For the invaders, the temple was a lucrative source of wealth. To protect the temple, the then kings may have kept the ancient weapons in the Ratna Bhandar,” said Shyama Mahapatra, a temple servitor.

According to Jagannath researcher Bhaskar Mishra, “King Kapilendra Deb in 1460 had emerged victorious over another ruler and used 16 elephants to transport a substantial amount of gold to Puri Jagannath Temple.”

Historians and researchers want a proper study of the war weapons. They demanded the government enlists eminent archaeologists to study the period during which the weapons were in use.

“These are very rare materials bearing historical significance. The weapons should be properly preserved and displayed in a museum,” said Sajiv Mishra, a historian.