SABARIMALA: The two-day interview to shortlist new melsanthi aspirants for the final selection of new melsanthi for Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples for the 2017-2018 period concluded at the Travancore Devaswom Board headquarters at Nandancode in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. On conclusion of the interview, 14 melsanthi probables were selected for Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple and 12 for the Malikappuram Devi temple.
The melsanthi list was prepared on the basis of 60 marks received by the aspirants in the interview. The interview was conducted by a seven-member jury, including Travancore Devaswom Board president Prayar Gopalakrishnan, members Ajay Tharayil and K Raghavan, devaswom commissioner C P Ramaraja Prema Prasad, Sabarimala thantri Kandararu Rajivaru and Mahesh Mohanaru and Sanskrit and thantric scholar Vezhapparambu Krishnan Nampoothiri.
Final selection on Oct 17
The selection of the new melsanthi for Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples will be held on the basis of drawing of lots to be held on the first day of the Malayalam month of Thulam at the sannidhanam on October 17. New melsanthi to take charge on Nov 16. The new melsanthi for Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples for a period of one year will take charge on the first day of the Malayalam month of Vrischikom on November 16.
The melsanthi list was prepared on the basis of 60 marks received by the aspirants in the interview.
The selection of the new melsanthis for Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples will be held on the first day of Thulam at the sannidhanam on October 17.