Pandalam Palace Selects Two Children for Sabarimala and Malikappuram Melsanthi Draw on October 18
Pandalam: The Pandalam Palace has selected two children to draw lots for the appointment of the new Melsanthis (chief priests) of the Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples.
Pandalam Palace Valiya Thampuran Thiruvonam Nal Rama Varma Raja has appointed Devanandan Arjun and Anaswara M Ranjith to conduct the draws.
Devanandan Arjun, a Class 2 student of SNVP School, Tripunithura, will draw the lots to select the Sabarimala Melsanthi. Anaswara M Ranjith, a Class 4 student of Bhavan's Vidya Mandir, residing at Lakshmi Vilasam Palace No. 46, Tripunithura, will select the Malikappuram Melsanthi.
The selection of children from the Pandalam Palace for the draw is conducted in accordance with the Supreme Court's 2011 order, based on the report submitted by retired Justice K.T. Thomas.
On October 17, the two children will seek blessings from the Pandalam Palace Valiya Thampuran and Valiya Thampuratti. They will then participate in the traditional Kettunira ceremony in front of the Thiruvabharana Malika before offering prayers at the Valiya Koyikkal Temple.
Following the rituals, they will leave for Sannidhanam at 12 noon, accompanied by their parents and palace representatives Kerala Varma and Manoj Varma.
The new Melsanthis of Sabarimala and Malikappuram will be selected through a draw of lots on October 18, following the Usha Pooja. The selected priests will assume charge on November 16 for a one-year term beginning on the first day of the Malayalam month of Vrischikam. The children designated by the Pandalam Palace will arrive at Sannidhanam carrying irumudikkettu to conduct the draw.