Sabarimala : VK Jayaraj Potty has been appointed as the new Melshanthi(head priest) at Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala and MN Rejikumar as the next head priest at Malikappuram, the Devi temple there. The draw of lots to select the head priests was held at Sopanams of each temple, as their thresholds opened today for Thulam pooja. Jayaraj Potty hails from Pupathiparikott Mattom in Thrissur and Rejikumar from Kidangoor Mayilkott Mana in Angamali.
Pandalam royals, Kaushik K Verma and Rishikesh Verma drew the lots selecting the Melshantis for Ayyappa Temple and Malikappuram respectively.
The new Melshantis will open the sanctum sanctorum of their respective temples on 1st of Vrichika month, the 16th of November and remain in charge for the next one year. Owing to covid, only 250 people via virtual queue are allowed each day for the 5-day Thulam pooja up to 21st.
Yesterday Melshanti AK Sudheer Namboothiri opened the sanctum sanctorum and lit lamps under superintendence of Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru. After opening thresholds at sub shrines, the Melshanti lit the traditional lamp in front of the sacred stairway to the main temple marking the onset of Thulam pooja. The Arawana darshan has been sanctioned in line with covid protocols.
