Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples get new head priests

MK Sudheer, MS Parameshwaran Namboothiri
Head priest of the Sabarimala temple A K Sudhir Namboodiri and head priest of the Malikapuram Devi temple M S Parameshwaran Namboodiri.

Pathananthitta: A K Sudhir Namboodiri of Thirur Thirunavaya Areekkara Mana has been chosen as the new head priest of the Sabarimala temple, while M S Parameshwaran Namboodiri of Aluva Puliyinam Parakkadavu Madava Mana will be the new head priest of the Malikapuram Devi temple.

The draw of lots to choose the priests was held in the presence of Tantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanararu, Sannidhanam Special Commissioner M Manoj, Devaswom ombudsman Justice Raman, Devaswom Commissioner H Harshan, Devaswom Board President M Padmakumar and members K P Shankaradas and D Vijayakumar.

The temple opened on Friday for the rituals for the month of Chingam. Head priest V N Vasudevan Namboodiri opened the sanctum sanctorum in the presence of Kandararu Mahesh Mohanararu. Until August 21, the rituals, udayasthamana pooja (worship from dawn to dusk), padi pooja (worship of 18 holy steps), kalabhabhishekam (worship to strengthen divinity of deity) and pushpabhishekam (showering flowers on Lord Ayyappa) will be held on a daily basis. The sanctum sanctorum will be closed at 10 pm on August 21.

Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. It is situated on a hilltop named Sabarimala in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district. Malikapuram Devi temple is situated on a small hill, which is two minutes away from the Ayyappa temple.

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Onmanorama. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.