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New Chief Priest Appointed for Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple
18 Oct
Summary
- Areekkara Subrahmanyan Sankaran Namboothiri is the new chief priest.
- Selection was made by a draw of lots at the Sabarimala shrine.
- Both new priests assume charge on November 13, 2026.
Areekkara Subrahmanyan Sankaran Namboothiri, from Thiruvananthapuram, has been selected as the chief priest of the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple. His one-year term will commence with the upcoming Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. The selection process involved a draw of lots held at the shrine.
Concurrently, Damodaran Namboothiri A from Kozhikode was chosen as the chief priest for the Malikappuram Devi Temple through a separate draw. Both priests are scheduled to arrive at Sabarimala on November 13, 2026, to officially assume their responsibilities.