Not learning from mistakes; Melshanthis can continue to bring assistants; President's suggestion that only Devaswom santhis must be appointed rejected

KOCHI: Unnikrishnan Potty, in the form of a helper in Sabarimala, went as far as siphoning off the gold doorframe of the shrine. Still, the Devaswom Board is not learning its mistake. The President's move to not allow such 'avatars' to enter the temple has been thwarted.

The move is to continue the process of the Melshanthis bringing in Keezhasanthis by themselves. This was clarified in the affidavit filed by Devaswom Secretary S Bindu in the High Court on Friday. Potty made Sabarimala a business by entering in this way.

President PS Prashanth suggested that Keezhasanthis be appointed from the temples of the board to prevent this from happening again, but the suggestion was rejected. The affidavit states that the credentials and details of the helpers who will arrive from Vrishchika 1 will be submitted as soon as they are received. The Devaswom Commissioner is responsible for verifying their qualifications and police clearance.

It was directed to submit details regarding the appointment and qualification test of the santhis, in the case taken up by the High Court suo motu, following the gold theft. The affidavit was submitted accordingly. The affidavit was submitted on Friday, the day Secretary Bindu retired.

To avoid non-Brahmins

Non-Brahmins may also be appointed as santhis in the Devaswom if the President's proposal is implemented. The indication is that such an affidavit was submitted at the instigation of some superiors to prevent non-Brahmins from entering the sanctum sanctorum. There was no proper vetting of those brought by the Melshanthis earlier. Many of the parikarmis who entered like Unnikrishnan Potty have been working in the Sannidhanam for decades.

24 assistants in the shrine

The Melshanthi can appoint 24 assistants during the Mandala period and 18 for the monthly puja

The Melshanthi in Malikappuram can appoint 9 people. Their daily salary is Rs. 450

They are responsible for assisting in ceremonies, making offerings, lighting lamps and washing utensils

Those who are knowledgeable in the pujas at Sannidhanam can be retained by the new Melshanthi

An assistant can be appointed during the service period of Purappeda Shanthi. Salary is Rs. 10,000 per month

I don't know about the secretary's affidavit. There is a board meeting soon. Let's see. The plan was to appoint at least half of the people from the Devaswom.

PS Prashanth

President

Travancore Devaswom Board