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New Melsanthi for Sabarimala temple

Staff Reporter

SABARIMALA: E. Eswaran Namboodiri of Thazhakara Thuruthy Illom in Mavelikara and S. Madhusoodhanan Potti of Vettikavala Vaikuntapurathu Kizhakke Madhom near Kottarakara were selected new Melsanthis (head priests) of the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala and the adjoining Malikappuram Devi temple respectively for the next one year beginning November 17 in a draw of lots held at the holy hillock on Wednesday.

Heavy rush

The Sabarimala Sannidhanm witnessed heavy rush in the morning with hundreds of devotees, a majority of them from the neighbouring States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, turning up to witness the draw.

The lot was drawn by Vignesh, a 12-year-old boy from Chennai.

The new Melsanthis will assume charge on the first day of the Malayalam month of Vrischikam on November 17 and their installation ceremony will take place in the respective temple sopanams the previous day evening.

Mr. Namboodiri was at the Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple when he got the news that he had been selected as Sabarimala Melsanthi.

Mr. Namboodiri has been visiting Sabarimala on the first of all Malayalam months regularly for the last eight years.

Mr. Namboothiri is the fifth native of Mavelikara to be selected as Sabarimala Melsanthi since 1950.

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