Appeals rejected; five remain on Sabarimala Melshanthi shortlist

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Travancore Devaswom Board has rejected appeals seeking consideration for the appointment of the Melshanthis (head priests) of Sabarimala and Malikappuram. The decision was taken after hearing 38 applicants in person. The Board had received 48 applications for Sabarimala and 30 for Malikappuram.

The eligibility criteria require applicants to have at least 12 years of experience as a priest at a public temple, including at least 10 years of continuous service as a Melshanthi. To verify the claims, the Devaswom Vigilance wing visited the respective temples this year and collected information directly. Following the verification, the Sabarimala shortlist was reduced to five candidates and the Malikappuram list to three. All three candidates shortlisted for Malikappuram are also on the Sabarimala shortlist.

A total of 47 applicants subsequently approached the Board seeking relaxation of the eligibility criteria. Of them, 38 appeared in person to present their cases. The hearings, which began in the morning, continued until 9 p.m.

Although the Board heard the complaints, it decided not to include any additional candidates, taking into account the Vigilance report. Interviews will be held on Monday, following which the final shortlist will be prepared. The Melshanthis will then be selected through a draw at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam.

The High Court had approved the shortlist. Devaswom Board president K. Jayakumar said the Board could not include candidates in the list by overriding the Devaswom Vigilance report.