Sabarimala (Kerala): VK Jayaraj was on Saturday appointed 'Melsanthi' (Chief Priest) of the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala for one year.
VK Jayaraj belongs to the Varikkatt Madom family of Kodungallur, Thrissur.
Meanwhile, Angamaly resident Rejikumar MN was selected as the new head priest of the adjoining Malikappuram Devi Temple.
The selections were made by drawing lots from a panel of priests shortlisted after interviews conducted by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the hill shrine.
The newly-selected head priests would assume charge on November 15 and would hold the post for a period of one year.
Meanwhile, the famed Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala opened to devotees on Saturday after remaining closed for over six months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Read: Sabarimala re-opens for devotees, COVID -ve report must for entry
The temple, which opened for the monthly puja on Friday evening, will allow pilgrims to offer prayers till October 21.
Though the temple opened on Friday evening for the monthly puja, entry of devotees was allowed only from Saturday, the first day of 'Thulam' (Malayalam month).
