Sabarimala Melshanthi's
S.ArunKumar Namboothiri
Tenure: 2024-2025
Who are Melsanthis?
Melsanthis are the head priests of the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple and Malikappuram Devi Temple, responsible for performing sacred rituals and poojas. They are considered representatives of the deity and serve a one-year tenure, residing at the temple (Sannidhanam) throughout, even when it is closed.
Selection Process
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) invites applications from Malayali Brahmins with at least 10 years of priestly experience. Candidates undergo a rigorous interview by a panel, including TDB members and the Sabarimala Tantri. Shortlisted candidates (typically 9–14 per temple) are selected via a draw of lots conducted at the temple’s sanctum sanctorum on the first day of the Malayalam month of Thulam (usually October). A child nominee from the Pandalam Palace draws the lots, ensuring divine selection. The new Melsanthis take charge on November 15 or 16 for the Mandala-Makaravilakku season.
- P.N.Mahesh -
Tenure: 2023-2024 - K Jayaraman Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2022-2023 - N. Parameswaran Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2021-2022 - V.K. Jayaraj Potti -
Tenure: 2020-21 - A. K Sudheer Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2019-20 - Vasudevan Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2018-19 - AV Unnikrishnan Namboothiri-
Tenure: 2017-18 - TM Unnikrishnan Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2016-17 - S. E. Sankaran Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2015-16 - Ezhikode EN Krishnadas Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2014-15 - Narayanan Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2013-14 - Edamana N. Damodaran Potty -
Tenure: 2012-13 - N. Balamurali -
Tenure: 2011-12 - Ezhikode Sasi Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2010-11 - G. Vishnu Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2009-10 - Vishnu Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2008-09 - Krishnan Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2007-08 - E. Easwaran Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2006-07 - Sukumaran Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2005-06 - Endamthuruthi V. Muraleedharan Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2004-05 - Gosala Vishnu Vasudevan Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2003-04 - Perigamana Sankaranarayanan Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2002-03 - Raman Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2001-02 - Late Sambu Vadhyar Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2000-01
Sabarimala MELSHANTIS lIST
Vasudevan Namboothiri
Tenure: 2024-2025
- P.G. Murali Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2023-2024 - Hariharan Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2022-2023 - Shambhu Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2021-2022 - M.N. Raji Kumar Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2020-21 - M.S. Parameswaran Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2019-20 - M.N. Narayanan Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2018-19 - Anish Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2017-18 - M.E. Manu Kumar -
Tenure: 2016-17 - E. S. Unnikrishnan Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2015-16 - S. Kesavan Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2014-15 - P. M. Manoj Embranthiri -
Tenure: 2013-14 - Karicode Unnikrishnan Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2012-13 - T.K. Easwaran Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2011-12 - Dhananjayan Namboodiri -
Tenure: 2010-11 - K. C. Madhavan Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2009-10 - Sreekumara Sarma N. -
Tenure: 2008-09 - M. N. Krishnan Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2007-08 - Madhusoodanan Potty -
Tenure: 2006-07 - V.K. Jayarajan Potty -
Tenure: 2005-06 - Rajeev V. Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2004-05 - K. Govindan Potty -
Tenure: 2003-04 - N. Unnikrishnan Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2002-03 - V. Sreevalsa Sarma -
Tenure: 2001-02 - Late Keezhpally Parameswarn Namboothiri -
Tenure: 2000-01