New Melsanthis selected for Sabarimala, Malikappuram temples

A view of the Swami Iyappan temple in Sabarimala. Subrahmanyan Sankaran Namboothiri of Areekkara Illam, Pulimoodu, in Thiruvananthapuram, has been named the new melshanthi (chief priest) of the temple. | Photo Credit: The Hindu

Subrahmanyan Sankaran Namboothiri of Areekkara Illam, Pulimoodu, in Thiruvananthapuram, has been named the new melshanthi (chief priest) of the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala, while A. Damodaran Namboothiri of Aayadathu Illam, Vadakara, in Kozhikode, will serve as the melshanthi of the Malikappuram Devi temple.

The two priests were chosen through a draw of lots on Sunday (October 18, 2026) from panels shortlisted by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). They will assume charge for a year on November 15, on the eve of the annual Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.