Kandararu Brahmadathan to be new Sabarimala chief Tantri; court order decisive

SABARIMALA: Kandararu Brahmadathan, a member of the Thazhmon family and son of Kandararu Rajeevaru, may be appointed as the new Sabarimala Tantri, which will give him supreme spiritual authority at the Ayyappa Temple. Sabarimala Special Commissioner R. Jayakrishnan submitted a report to the High Court based on the letter given by the Devaswom Board in this regard. If the court takes a favourable decision, Brahmadathan will become the Tantri and may also be included in the Melshanthi Recruitment Board.

Kandararu Rajeevaru had written to the Devaswom Board requesting that the Tantric post be given to his son instead due to his prevailing health problems. From Chingam to Karkidakam month, two families of the Thazhamon Mutt perform the Tantric rituals in Sabarimala on a turn basis. Kandararu Mahesh Mohanararu, son of senior Tantri Kandarar Mohanar, is currently the Tantri.

His term will end with the Niraputhari pujas on August 2. If the High Court decides in his favour, Kandararu Brahmadathan will be the new chief priest of the temple from August 16, when the temple opens for the Chingam month rituals.