P N Narayanan Nampoothiri, 42, of Panagattampalli Mana, Nellikuzhi, Thrikkariyur in Kothamangalam was selected as the new melsanthi of the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa Temple on Thursday. P M Manoj, 37, of Polpakkara Madom, Edappal, in Malappuram, will be the new melsanthi of the Malikappuram Devi Temple.
The new head priests were selected by a draw of lots from the 16 shortlisted aspirants. Four-year-old Vyas J Varma, of Pandalam palace, pulled out the name of the new melsanthi in a ceremony conducted in front of the sanctum sanctorum of the Lord Ayyappa Temple at 8 am after Usha pooja.