V.K. Jayaraj Potty has been appointed as the new Melsanthi (chief priest) of Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple He is a member of Pooppathy Varikkatt Madom of Kodungallur.
He will be the Melsanthi in Sabarimala for for one year from November 16, when the Mandala Puja season commences.. He has been selected from nine candidates shortlisted for the post.
Raji Kumar M.N.Namboothiri was selected as Chief Priest of the adjoining Malikappuram Devi temple.
The selections were made by drawing lots from a panel of priests shortlisted after interviews conducted by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the hill shrine.
On Friday, after a seven-month closure, the doors of the Sree Dharma Sastha temple opened for devotees in connection with the five-day-long monthly rituals at 5 p.m.
Melsanthi A.K. Sudheer Namboodiri led the proceedings under supervision of the Sabarimala Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru. This was followed by the opening of the upadevata temples at Sannidhanam and lighting of the aazhi near the 18 holy steps.
(With inputs from PTI
