Sabarimala Melsanthi 2011: N Balamurali, New Head Priest of Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa Temple

N Balamurali has been selected as the new head priest (melsanthi) of Lord Ayyappa Temple, Sabarimala. N Balamurali is from Edamana Illom in Thiruvananthapuram. The selection was done based on the lots system introduced by the Travancore Devasom Board way back in 1980. The lots were put in two silver urns and the senior tantri (chief priest), Kandararu Maheswararu, placed them before the presiding deity inside the sanctum sanctorum and returned them to the Travancore Devasom Board authorities for drawing the lots.

The lots were drawn by saurav, a nine year old boy. The boy hailing from Pandalam Vadakkekkara palace was chosen for this job by the Pandalam Palace managing committee. Also T K Eeswaran Namboodiri of Koramangalam has been selected as the head priest of Malikappuram Devi Temple. S Jagadeesh, special commissioner appointed by Kerala Highcourt and Dewasom Commissioner N Vasu were also present during the event.

N Balamurali of Edamana Illom is presently the head priest of Puthiyakavu Bhagavathy Temple in Kollam. Earlier he was the head priest of famous Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. The newly selected head priests will have to undergo training in various ritualistic practices at Sabarimala under the guidance of the tantri, before assuming charge at Sabarimala on the first day in the Malayalam month of Vrischikom that begins on November 17.