Sabarimala temple opens for darshan; melsanthis of Ulkkazhakam and Pampa selected

SANNIDHANAM: The Sabarimala temple has opened for darshan on the auspicious dawn of Chingam. A heavy rush of devotees is being witnessed at Sannidhanam in Sabarimala since 5 am. After Ushapooja, a draw was held to select Ulkkazhakam in Sabarimala. B Ganesh Prasad, Shanthi of Kavallurkonam Devaswom under the Ulloor Group of the Travancore Devaswom Board, was selected as Ulkkazhakam for 2026–27.

The draw of lots was held in the presence of devaswom commissioner B Sunil Kumar, Sabarimala special commissioner J Jayakrishnan and Sabarimala executive officer P S Shantha Kumar. The draw of lots for selecting the melshanthis of Pampa Devaswom was held after 10 am at Pampa Mahaganapathy Temple. Shanthi S Girish Kumar of Padanayakulangara Devaswom under the Karunagappally Group and Shanthi M S Sreekumaran Namboothiri of Ambalathubhagam Devaswom under the Karunagappally Group have been selected as the Pampa Melshanthis for the 2026–27 period.