A V Unnikrishnan Namboothiri was on Tuesday selected as the melsanthi (head priest) of the Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala through a draw of lots.
A native of Chalakudy in Thrissur district, Unnikrishnan will be the head priest for a year.
Aneesh Namboothiri, a native of Mynagapally in Kollam district, was selected as melsanthi at the Malikappuram Devi Temple.
The draw of lots was held at the sanctum sanctorum after morning pujas at the respective temples in the presence of Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran and Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president Prayar Gopalakrishnan.
Unnikrishnan was among the 14 priests shortlisted for the post, finalised by TDB at a meeting here on October 5. For the Malikappuram melsanthi's post, 12 priests were shortlisted by the Board.
The priests will take charge for this year’s pilgrimage season, which will begin after the mandala puja on November 15.
Published 17 October 2017, 06:47 IST