The Hindu : Kerala News : 69 applicants for post of head priest

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 15, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

69 applicants for post of head priest

By Our Staff Reporter

PATHANAMTHITTA, SEPT. 14. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has begun preparations to select the new Melsanthis (head priests) at the Lord Ayyappa Temple and the Malikappuram Devi Temple at Sabarimala for the one year beginning from the fist day of the Malayalam month of Vrischikom (November 16).

The selection will be made through a draw of lots to be held at the Sopanam of the Ayyappa temple on the first day of the Malayalam month of Thulam.

The Devaswom Commissioner, S. Lathika, has said the TDB has received 69 eligible applications for the Sabarimala head priest post and 34 applications for the Malikappuram head priest post. The TDB would shortlist 10 persons each from among the applicants for the draw of lots after a personal interview.

The interview would be held at the TDB headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram on September 29 and 30. The interview board consists of two Tantris (hereditary chief priests) of the Thazhamon Illom at Mundankavu, near Chengannur, the TDB president and the Devaswom Commissioner.

Monthly poojas

The Ayyappa temple will be opened on September 16 afternoon for the five-day monthly poojas in the Malayalam month of Kanni which begins the next day.

The head priest, Gosala Vishnu Vasudevan, will open the sanctum sanctorum at 5 p.m. on Thursday. The Tantri, Kantaru Mohanaru, has said the rituals will begin with the auspicious Ganapathi homam on Friday morning. A `kalabhabhishekom' would be performed at the Ayyappa temple prior to the `utcha' pooja on four days from September 18 to 21 and the `sahasrakalasom' on September 21. The temple will be closed after the `athazha' pooja on September 21.

The Tantri said a `laksharchana' will be held at the Malikappuram temple on September 21. According to Mr. Mohanaru, it is for the first time a `laksharchana' is to be held at the Malikappuram temple. The Tantri will lead the ritual.

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