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Eswaran Namboodiri selected new Sabarimala Melsanthi

Staff Reporter

S. Madhusoodhanan Potti is Malikappuram Melsanthi

TO SERVE THE GOD: The draw of lots is on to select the Melsanthi at the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple on Wednesday; E. Eswaran Namboodiri, top right; S. Madhusoodhanan Potti.

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 at a draw of lots held at the holy hillock on Wednesday.

Heavy rush

The Sabarimala Sannidhanam 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.

Mr. Namboodiri had been an aspirant for the post of Sabarimala Melsanthi for the past seven years and this was the second time that his name had been short-listed.

Mr. Namboodiri had been Melsanthi of the Valiyakulangara temple at Oachira for 22 years.

Mr. Madhusoodhanan Potti is now the Melsanthi of the Kaaliyamman Kovil at Vaikom South Nada. He is also a known astrologer.

The process began with Travancore Devaswom Board president G. Raman Nair, along with the members Punalur Madhu and M.B. Sreekumar, preparing the lots at the temple sopanam in the presence of Special Commissioner D. Sreevallabhan at 9.30 a.m.

Tantri (chief priest) Kandararu Rajeevaru performed puja at the sanctum sanctorum before handing over the two silver urns carrying the lots to the TDB authorities.

The lot was drawn by Vignesh, a 12-year-old boy from Chennai who was selected by Mr. Sreevallabhan from among the crowd in front of the sopanam.

Ten-year-old girl Lekshmi from Kurichy near Changanassery was selected by the Special Commissioner to draw the lots for selecting the new Malikappuram Melsanthi.

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.

Staff Reporter writes from Alappuzha:

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 married to Mini Antharjanam, Kannamangalathu Illom, Ambalappuzha. His daughter Amritha is a seventh standard student and son Anirudh is two years old.

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

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