The Hindu : Front Page : New process for Melsanthi selection

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Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011
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New process for Melsanthi selection

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A new process has been evolved for selecting Melsanthis, chief priests, of Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala and Malikappuram Temple.

Travancore Devaswom Board president M. Rajagopalan Nair told reporters here on Monday that the selection process had been evolved at the mediation of the former Supreme Court judge K.T. Thomas. He was appointed mediator by the Supreme Court. The selection committee comprises the president, members and Devaswom Commissioner, the senior and junior tantris of the Thazhamon Illam and an expert in pujas and rituals, to be selected through a transparent process.

The Thazhamon Illam will forward the names of three eminent tantris to the board. The board will draw up a list of 10 tantris and forward it to the senior member of the erstwhile Pandalam royal family. He will shortlist five persons and return it to the Illam. The senior tantri of the Illam will select one person from the list and communicate it to the board to be appointed as expert from outside. While interviewing the candidates for the post of Melsanthis, the committee members can award a total of 90 marks. Of this, 30 marks are set apart for the president, two members and the commissioner for ascertaining general knowledge. The remaining marks are for testing their acumen in Sanskrit, pujas, rites, Tantric rituals and other religious matters.

He said the board had decided to revise the salary and pension of the board and temple employees with retrospective effect from July 1, 2009.

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