Thu Oct 17 10:31:10 UTC 2024: ## New Chief Priests Selected for Sabarimala and Malikappuram Temples
**Pathanamthitta:** S Arunkumar Namboothiri has been chosen as the new chief priest (melsanthi) of the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple, following a traditional lot-drawing ceremony held on Thursday. Arunkumar, a resident of Thottathil matham in Kollam, was selected from a panel of 24 shortlisted priests by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB).
Meanwhile, Vasudevan Namboothiri from Kozhikode will serve as the chief priest of the Malikappuram Devi temple. He hails from Thirumangalathu illam in Olavanna. Both priests will hold their positions for a year.
The selection process was overseen by TDB President P S Prasanth, members A Ajikumar and G Sundareshan, Devaswom Commissioner C V Prakash, Special Commissioner R Jayakrishnan, and an observer appointed by the High Court, T R Ramachandran Nair. The tantri of the temple, Kandaru Rajeevaru, and tantri Brahmadattan were also present.
The lots for both Sabarimala and Malikappuram were drawn by Rishikesh Varma and M Vaishnavi, respectively, from the Pandalam royal family.
First Piper 