Official financial disclosures from the Shri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) have revealed the impressive scale of assets held by the historic shrine in Puri, Odisha. According to a statement issued by the administration, the temple holds approximately ₹1,912 crore (specifically ₹1,911.80 crore) across various bank accounts as of August 31. Beyond its cash reserves, the deity's estate encompasses 60,821 acres of land spread across India, alongside valuable gold and diamond ornaments stored in the heavily guarded 'Ratna Bhandar' treasury.
Breakdown of ₹1912 Crore Bank Reserves
The detailed financial breakdown provided by the SJTA highlights that ₹1,811.10 crore of the total bank balance is maintained in fixed deposits under three structured schemes as of August 31. Out of this fixed deposit corpus, ₹1,311.10 crore is parked across different public sector banks. The remaining ₹500 crore represents a dedicated corpus fund provided by the Odisha state government, which is held in the temple's profit-and-loss account to support continuous institution-building and welfare operations.
In addition to fixed term deposits, the temple management maintains liquid operational capital across various accounts. As of August 31, a total of ₹100.71 crore was held in saving accounts, current accounts, and flexi accounts (financial instruments blending standard savings with term deposit features). Combined with the fixed deposits, the overall bank assets stand at approximately ₹1,911.80 crore.
Revenue Sources and Financial Allocation Strategy
Outlining the primary avenues of income, the temple administration explained that revenue is generated through generous offerings and donations made by millions of devotees. Supplemental income flows from commercial operations including temple-owned quarries, interest accrued on fixed deposits, real estate transactions involving land sales and purchases, and structured state government grants.
Arabinda Padhee, Chief Administrator of the SJTA, detailed the fund distribution mechanism. He noted that a portion of the incoming revenue is allocated into fixed deposits under the Corpus Fund, while another section is set aside as an Establishment Fund, also placed in fixed deposits. The surplus remaining income is deposited into the main temple fund. Daily operational expenses and religious ceremonies are funded directly from this primary temple fund, while excess balances are systematically invested into fixed term deposits to ensure long-term sustainability. Padhee emphasized that the administration's foremost duty is the rigorous and transparent maintenance of all holy properties.
Land Estate and Historic Inventory of the Ratna Bhandar
The temple's real estate portfolio spans immense geographic terrain totaling 60,821 acres across India. The overwhelming majority of this land—amounting to 60,426 acres—is located across 24 districts in the state of Odisha. The remaining 395 acres are distributed across six other Indian states, including West Bengal, forming a diverse asset network requiring regular administrative oversight.
Alongside liquid deposits and land holdings, the temple's revered 'Ratna Bhandar' contains priceless gold, diamond, and precious stone jewelry under multi-layered security. Officials confirmed that an exhaustive physical inventory and verification drive of these historic ornaments is currently underway after a gap of 48 years, ensuring that every asset is fully documented and safeguarded.
