Three-Member Committee Formed for Sabarimala Thantri Appointment; 2018 Devaprasnam All Remedial Rites and Prayaschitta Pujas to Be Performed
Sabarimala: Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President K. Jayakumar announced that a three-member committee has been constituted to examine the appointment of the new Sabarimala Thantri. He said the Board's final decision will be communicated to the Kerala High Court.(sabarimalauptodate.in)
Speaking to the media, Jayakumar said the Board had considered the letter submitted by former Sabarimala Thantri Kandararu Rajeevar recommending Brahmadattan for the post of Thantri. However, no final decision has been taken yet.
"A committee comprising three senior Thantris has been formed for this purpose. After consulting them, I will place my recommendation before the Devaswom Board. The Board will then take a final decision, which will be informed to the High Court," Jayakumar said.(sabarimalauptodate.in)
The Board Chairman will meet the three-member expert committee on Friday. The panel includes renowned Tantric scholar Akkeramon Kalidasan Bhattathiripad, the Ambalapuzha Thantri, and another senior Tantric expert. The committee will assess Brahmadattan's knowledge and proficiency in Tantric rituals and traditions before submitting its report. The Travancore Devaswom Board is expected to take a final decision on the appointment only after receiving the committee's recommendations.
Jayakumar added that there is no opposition within the Board committee to appointing Brahmadattan as the Sabarimala Thantri. According to him, the expert committee was constituted as a precautionary measure to avoid any controversy over the appointment.
The Devaswom Board meeting also decided to implement the remedial measures and prayaschitta (atonement) rituals recommended in the 2018 Devaprasnam concerning the proposed Theerthakulam (sacred pond) at Sabarimala.
Jayakumar said that among the remedial rituals suggested in the Devaprasnam, only the offering of Palpayasam at the Guruvayur Temple has been carried out so far. Several other rituals remain to be performed at various temples.
The Board has allocated ₹5 lakh for conducting the remedial rites and atonement rituals. Jayakumar expressed confidence that completing these rituals would mark the beginning of a "golden era" for the Travancore Devaswom Board.