The new head priests (Melsanthis) of the Ayyappa temple and the Malikappuram Devi temple at Sabarimala will be selected on October 18, the first day of the Malayalam month of Thulam, through the customary draw of lots.
The Travancore Devaswom Board shortlisted 10 priests in the case of the Sabarimala temple and 13 in the case of the Malikappuram temple on the basis of a personal interview held at its headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram a few days ago.
The draw of lots will be held at each of the two temples in the presence of devotees. The Special Commissioner appointed by the Kerala High Court will pick a child devotee present at the temple to draw the lots.
The new priests will assume charge for a one-year term on November 17, the first day of the Malayalam month of Vrischikom, when the annual pilgrimage begins.
The present head priest, Ezhikode Sasi Namboodiri, will open the sanctum sanctorum of the Ayyappa temple at 5.30 p.m. on October 17 for the five-day monthly rituals, which will begin with an Ashtadravya Ganapati Homam performed by chief priest (Tantri) Kandararu Maheswararu the next morning.
The priests shortlisted for selection as the Sabarimala Melsanthi are: N. Balamurali of Edamana Illom at Sreekanteswaram in Thiruvananthapuram; M.P. Krishnan Namboodiri of Marangattu Illom at Karamana in Thiruvananthapuram; T.K. Eswaran Namboodiri of Korangalam at Manacaud in Thiruvananthapuram; M.S. Parameswaran Namboodiri of Madavana Mana at Angamaly; S. Krishnan Namboodiri of “Sreevallabhom” at Mathilbhagom, near Thiruvalla; M.N. Krishnan Namboodiri of Marangattu Illom at Onanthuruthu in Kottayam; K.N. Narayanan Bhattathiri of Karunattu Illom in Pala; M.N. Narayanan Namboodiri of Muringoor Mana at Attukal in Thiruvananthapuram; T.M. Muraleedharana of Theeyannoor Mana at Shoranur; and Ezhikode Krishnan Namboodiri of Ezhikode Mana near Cheruthuruthy.
Those shortlisted for selection in the case of the Malikappuram Melsanthi are: V. Harikumar Namboodiri of Bhagavathi Padinjare Illom at Kadakad, near Pandalam; T.M. Unnikrishnan Namboodiri of Thekkumparambathu Mana at Karalmanna in Palakkad; M.N. Narayanan Namboodiri of Muringoor Mana at Attukal in Thiruvananthapuram; R. Madhavan Namboodiri of Mambuzha Madhom at Budhanur, near Chengannur; S. Krishnan Namboodiri of “Sreevallabhom” at Mathilbhagom, near Thiruvalla, T.K. Eswaran Namboodiri of Koramangalam at Attukal in Thiruvananthapuram; K.G. Pradeepkumar of Ponalloor Illom at Vallichira in Pala; P.M. Narayanan Namboodiri of Vattakkulam Mekkattu Mana at Edappal in Malappuram; M.P. Rajeev of Muttamala Mana at Irumbliyam in Malappuram; Shambhu Namboodiri of Kuruvakkode Illom at Kannancherry in Kozhikode; N. Madhava Sarma of Vellimana Illom at Pazhaveedu in Alappuzha; S.E. Sankaran Namboodiri of Shobha Niwas at Peringol, near Thiruvalla; and U.M. Narayanan Namboodiri of Kalady at Karamana in Thiruvananthapuram.
