New Melsanthis selected for Sabarimala, Malikappuram temples

Subrahmanyan Sankaran Namboothiri of Areekkara Illam, Pulimoodu, in Thiruvananthapuram, has been named the new melshanthi (chief priest) of the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala, while A. Damodaran Namboothiri of Aayadathu Illam, Vadakara, in Kozhikode, will serve as the melshanthi of the Malikappuram Devi temple.

The two priests were chosen through a draw of lots on Sunday (October 18, 2026) from panels shortlisted by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). They will assume charge for a year on November 16, on the eve of the annual Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.

The draw was held at 8.15 a.m. at the Sannidhanam. Devnadan Arjun of the Pandalam Palace drew the lot for the Ayyappa temple, while Anaswara M Renjith, also of the Pandalam Palace, drew the lot for the Malikappuram shrine.

Subrahmanyan Sankaran Namboothiri is currently the melshanthi of the Pazhavangadi Ganapathi temple. He gets the opportunity to serve as the Sabarimala melshanthi on his third attempt.

Damodaran Namboothiri, who serves as the melshanthi of the Keezhur Siva temple, had also figured in the draw for the Sabarimala post before being chosen for Malikappuram. This is the fifth time his name has figured in the list of candidates for the melshanthi posts.

Subrahmanyan Sankaran Namboothiri said he had high hopes this time. “The deity at the Pazhavangadi Ganapathi temple has blessed me immensely. I am very happy to have been given the opportunity to serve the deity for a year. I will visit the temple tomorrow to offer prayers,” he said.

He added that he would not be motivated by financial gain, as the deity had provided him with everything he needed to lead his life. He considered the opportunity to serve the deity a great blessing.

Damodaran Namboothiri attributed his selection to the blessings of his spiritual teacher, the prayers of well wishers and the encouragement of his colleagues. He said he had been applying for the post since 2015.

The proceedings were held under the supervision of R Jayakrishnan, Sabarimala Special Commissioner, and TDB officials.

Since the temple opened for the monthly pujas in the Malayalam month of Thulam on Saturday (October 17, 2026), Sabarimala has witnessed a heavy influx of devotees.