S. Kesavan Nampoohiri of Cheruthala Madom at Mavelikara in Alappuzha district will be the head priest at the Malikappuram Devi temple, Sabarimala.
A draw of lots to select the head priests was held at the respective temple ‘sopanams’ on today.
Sourav Varma and Poornasree Varma, child nominees of the Pandalam palace drew the lots at the Ayyappa temple and the Malikappuram temple respectively. The lots were prepared by Travancore Devaswom Board president M.P. Govindan Nair; Subhash Vasu, P.K. Kumaran, both Travancore Devaswom Board Members; and P. Venugopal I A S, Devaswom Commissioner; in the presence of K. Babu, Special Commissioner appointed by the Kerala High Court.