7 months ago
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E.D. Prasad of Erannur Mana, Chalakkudy successful Thrissur, has been selected arsenic the caller Melshanthi (chief priest) of the Ayyappa temple astatine Sabarimala, portion M. G. Manu Namboothiri of Ayiramthengil Muttathumadham, Mayyanad successful Kollam, has been chosen arsenic the Melshanthi of the Malikappuram Devi temple.
The selections were made done a gully of tons from a sheet of candidates shortlisted by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) connected Saturday (October 18, 2025). Both priests volition presume complaint connected November 15, connected the eve of the yearly Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage play astatine Sabarimala.
The gully for the Sabarimala Melshanthi was held astatine 8.15 a.m. astatine Sabarimala Sannidhanam. Kashyap Varma of the Pandalam Palace drew the batch for the Ayyappa temple, portion Maithili, besides of the Pandalam Palace, drew the batch for the Malikappuram shrine.
Mr. Prasad presently serves arsenic the Melshanthi of the Aaraeswaram Sree Dharmasastha temple, and Mr. Namboothiri serves arsenic the Melshanthi of the Kottikkad Sree Dharmasastha temple successful Kollam.
The enactment proceedings took spot nether the supervision of R. Jayakrishnan, Sabarimala Special Commissioner, successful the beingness of TDB president P.S. Prasanth and different officials. There were 14 candidates successful the sheet for the Sabarimala Melshanthi station and 13 for Malikappuram.
Responding to his selection, Mr. Prasad said it was the fulfilment of a lifelong dream.
“Words cannot explicit my joy. Becoming the Melshanthi of Sabarimala is the top blessing for immoderate priest. I volition soon scope the divine abode of Lord Ayyappa,” helium said.
This is the 3rd clip that Mr. Prasad’s sanction has appeared successful the database of candidates considered for the Sabarimala Melshanthi post. He is the lad of Parathera Damodaran Namboothiri and Leela Antharjanam. His woman is Rajila, and the mates has 2 sons, Achyuth Damodar and Anuj Krishnan. Earlier, Mr. Prasad had served arsenic the Melshanthi of the Chottanikkara temple.
Since the temple opened for the Thulamasa pujas connected Friday, Sabarimala has witnessed a dense influx of devotees. According to officials, astir 50,000 pilgrims person booked darshan done the virtual queue strategy for Saturday.
