: S.E. Sankaran Namboodiri of Sooryagayatrom (Karackattu Illom) at Thiruvanchoor in Kottayam district was selected the head priest (Melsanthi) of Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala through a draw of lots on Sunday.
E.S. Unnikrishnan Namboodiri of Edackanom Illom at Punnamparambu-Thekkumkara in Thrissur district was selected the Melsanthi of Malikappuram Devi Temple.
Both the Melsanthi-designates will assume charge for the next one-year period on the first day of the Malayalam month of Vrischikom, which begins on November 17.
The draw of lots to select the Lord Ayyappa Temple Melsanthi was held at the sopanam of the temple at 8 a.m. The lots were prepared by the Travancore Devaswom Board authorities, and drawn by two children, Saran Varma and Sisira P. Varma, of the Pandalam Palace.
Both the Melsanthi-designates will undergo training at the Tantri household of Thazhamon Madhom at Mundankavu, near Chengannur, before assuming charge in November.
The installation ceremony of the newly selected Melsanthis will be held at the respective temple sopanams on the eve of the Mandalam festival season on November 16.
There was heavy rush of devotees at the temple on the first day of the Malayalam month of Thulam on Sunday.
