Treasure hunt: Archaeology team looks for lost hoard at Emar Mutt in Jagannath temple

A treasure hunt has started at the Emar Mutt, located in Jagannath Tample, with an archaeology team searching for a lost hoard.

Armed with metal detectors, a special team of the State Archaeology Department resumed the search for silver ingots (bricks) inside Emar Mutt’ premises in Odisha’s Puri. The hunt comes after the recovery of over 500 silver ingots in two phases in 2011 and 2021.

The Emar Mutt, located in front of the Lion’s gate of Jagannath temple, was established on a five acre plot. During the 1866 famine, the Emar Mutt fed hundreds of people. It is suspected that several assets including gold and silver ingots and other precious articles, which the mutt received as donation, still lie buried within the premises.