Subrahmanyan Sankaran Namboothiri appointed chief priest of Sabarimala temple

New chief priests selected for Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples

On Sunday, 18 October 2026, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) concluded a draw of lots to fill the melshanthi posts at two of Kerala’s most revered shrines. The ceremony, held at Sannidhanam at 8.15 a.m., marked the final step in preparing for the upcoming Mandala‑Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.

Who are the newly appointed melshanthis

Subrahmanyan Sankaran Namboothiri, a veteran priest from Areekkara Illam in Pulimoodu, Thiruvananthapuram, was chosen as the new melshanthi of the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala. He currently serves as the melshanthi of Pazhavangadi Ganapathi temple and will take up the Sabarimala post on his third attempt.

A. Damodaran Namboothiri, hailing from Aayadathu Illam in Vadakara, Kozhikode, will become the melshanthi of the Malikappuram Devi temple. He presently oversees rituals at Keezhur Siva temple and has been a candidate for melshanthi posts five times before this appointment.

Both priests expressed gratitude. Subrahmanyan said, "The deity at the Pazhavangadi Ganapathi temple has blessed me immensely. I am very happy to have been given the opportunity to serve the deity for a year," while Damodaran attributed his selection to the blessings of his spiritual teacher and the prayers of well‑wishers.

How the selection was made

The TDB shortlisted candidates on the basis of experience and service records before handing the names to a panel for the draw. Devnadan Arjun of the Pandalam Palace drew the lot for Sabarimala, and Anaswara M Renjith, also of the Pandalam Palace, drew the lot for Malikappuram. The draw was overseen by R Jayakrishnan, Special Commissioner for Sabarimala, and other TDB officials.

What comes next for the pilgrimage season

The newly appointed melshanthis will assume charge on 16 November, the eve of the annual Mandala‑Makaravilakku pilgrimage that draws millions of devotees. Their tenures, each lasting one year, are expected to ensure smooth conduct of rituals and maintain the spiritual ambience that attracts pilgrims from across the country. The temple resumed monthly pujas on 17 October, and a surge of devotees has already been observed.

With the appointments now confirmed, the TDB and temple authorities are focusing on logistics, crowd management and safety measures to accommodate the expected influx of worshippers during the sacred season.