PATHANAMTHITTA: Malappuram native A K Sudheeran Namboothiri has been selected as Sabrimala head priest and M S Parameswaran Namboothiri, the Malikarppuram head priest.

A K Sudheeran Namboothiri had been the head priest of several temples including Thirunava Mukuntha temple.
18 priests attended the interview for Sabarimala-Malikappuram chief priests. From this year onwards, chief priests will be given training a month’s under Sabarimala tantri.

For pujas for the Malayalam month of Chingam, the temple opened at 5 pm on Friday. Current head priest V N Vasudevan Namboothiri opened the temple in the presence of Tantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanaru and lighted the lamp at Sreelakom.

Thousands queued to climb 18 steps as the weather was pleasant. On August 21, Sahasra Kalasha puja and Abhishekam will take place.