Kerala High Court Announces Procedure for Sabarimala, Malikappuram Melshanti Selection
KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has announced the procedure for selecting the Melshantis (head priests) of Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples for the upcoming pilgrimage season. The process will include interviews on October 5, followed by a draw of lots as directed by the court.
A Division Bench comprising Justices V. Rajas Vijayaraghavan and K.V. Jayakumar issued the directions while considering a report submitted by the Special Commissioner for Sabarimala. Former Kerala High Court judge V.G. Arun has been appointed as the observer for the selection process.
A total of 78 applications were received for the Melshanti selections—48 for Sabarimala and 30 for Malikappuram. Following vigilance verification, five candidates for Sabarimala and three candidates for Malikappuram have been recommended for the interview.
The interviews will be held on October 5 at the Travancore Devaswom Board headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram.
The selection committee will consist of the Travancore Devaswom Board president, two board members, the Devaswom Commissioner, the senior and junior Tantris of the Thazhamon Madom, and an external Tantri selected through a special procedure.
The interview will carry a total of 90 marks. Of these, 30 marks will be awarded by the Devaswom Board representatives for general knowledge and personality, while the Tantris will award 60 marks for knowledge of Sanskrit, poojas and Tantric rituals.
Following the interview, a shortlist will be prepared. The final selection will be conducted through a draw of lots at Sannidhanam. A boy below the age of 10 nominated by the Pandalam Palace will conduct the draw for Sabarimala, while a girl below the age of 10 nominated by the palace will conduct the draw for Malikappuram.
The court-appointed observer will be present both during the interviews and at the draw of lots at Sannidhanam.
The High Court has also issued detailed directions to ensure transparency in the selection process. Interview marks must be recorded only using a ballpoint pen, and the mark sheets must be signed by the observer and kept in the custody of the Devaswom Commissioner. The entire interview process must also be video recorded.
The Devaswom Board has been directed to submit the video recording of the selection process, mark lists and shortlist to the court in a sealed cover by October 15.
The final draw of lots will be conducted based on the order issued by the High Court after examining the reports and documents submitted by the observer and the Special Commissioner following the interview.