Sabarimala Announcer Gopalakrishnan Nair Passes Away at 66
Pathanamthitta, April 30, 2025 —
For a quarter of a century, the powerful, devotional voice that echoed through the sacred grounds of Sabarimala during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season belonged to one man — Gopalakrishnan Swami, as he was fondly known. Today, that iconic voice has fallen silent. Kozhencherry Muriketh Vadakkevathil Gopalakrishnan Nair (66) passed away following a period of illness. His funeral will be held at 1 PM on Friday at his residence compound in Kozhencherry.
A dedicated announcer, Gopalakrishnan Nair served the Sabarimala temple for over 25 years, making Malayalam announcements that guided and inspired millions of pilgrims. Though many never saw him in person, his voice became deeply familiar to lakhs of devotees. His announcements often included chants of “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa,” a privilege and spiritual merit he humbly embraced.
Gopalakrishnan Nair had been battling health issues for a while and passed away at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at a private medical college in Adoor. Even though his health was failing, his voice still echoed through Sabarimala during the most recent Mandala season.
Gopalakrishnan was also a committed Congress worker and an active figure in Kozhencherry’s socio-political circles. A bachelor, he was the son of the late Parameswaran Nair and Chellamma. During his career, he worked as a traveling announcer for drama troupes and cultural events across Kerala. At one point, he drove his own jeep and made announcements simultaneously — a remarkable sight in itself.
His entry into Sabarimala service came nearly 24 years ago when Punalur Madhu, a Devaswom Board member at the time, noticed his talent. From then on, Gopalakrishnan’s voice became an essential part of the Sabarimala pilgrimage experience, leading countless pilgrims up the hill with faith and fervor.
In the political arena, he was instrumental in preserving the Indira Gandhi Memorial in Kozhencherry and was actively involved in local agitations, including those led by former District Panchayat President K.K. Roison.