The Pandalam palace managing committee (PPMC) has selected Hrishikesh Varma, 6, of Kulanada Kaippuzha Mundackal Palace and Keerthana Varma, 9, of Kulanada Kaippuzha Naithalloor Koickal Palace, to draw the lots to select the new Sabarimala Melsanthi and the Malikappuram Melsanthi respectively at a ceremony at Sabarimala on October 17.
In a statement issued here on Saturday, PPMC president P.G. Sasikumar Varma said the Pandalam palace had been nominating children for the draw of lots from 2011 on the basis of a directive of the Kerala High Court.
Hrishikesh is a student of Bhavan’s Vidya Mandir in Ernakulam and Keerthana a class IV student at Eminence School, Pandalam.
Both the children, accompanied by PPMC president and secretary, would reach Sabarimala on October 16, the statement said.
The Special Commissioner appointed by the Kerala High Court will supervise the draw of lots to be held immediately after the Ushapuja on October 17.
Chief Secretary K. Jayakumar, who is also the Chief Commissioner of the Travancore Devaswom Board, will monitor the process.
