Stand-off over melsanthi indicates deeper malaise in Sabarimala

By Radhakrishnan Kuttoor

PATHANAMTHITTA, OCT. 14. The ongoing controversy over the selection process of the new Melsanthi at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple has reflected the casual approach on the part of the concerned authorities to the rituals as well as the administration of the famous temple, besides putting its sanctity at stake.

The reported `cold war' between the Travancore Devaswom Board, the State-sponsored temple administrative body, and the temple Thantri (chief priest) over the selection procedures of the new Sabarimala Melsanthi (head priest) for the next one-year term from the ensuing Mandalam season that begins on November 16 appeared to have deeply wounded the religious sentiments of scores of Ayyappa devotees.

``It is sad that nowadays each and every issue related to Sabarimala turns into a controversy, leaving festering wounds in the religious psyche of the Ayyappa devotees,'' lament many devotees who spoke to The Hindu on the recent controversy that has landed in legal wrangles.

Though the High Power Committee headed by the former Chief Secretary, Mr. V. Ramachandran, has recommended depoliticisation of all temple administrative bodies in the State, it is a sad truth that the State Government still continues its practice of political appointments to the TDB, adding more woes to the board's administrative set-up, alleges a devotee.

There are many devotees who feel that both the TDB and the State Government see Sabarimala as a ``milch cow''. ``At least this is what the eleventh-hour preparations for providing basic pilgrim facilities at Sabarimala by the TDB and the Government over the past several years indicate,'' they allege.

The Thantri who installs the idol at a temple is regarded as the father of the presiding deity in Thantric terms and his word on the ritualistic aspects of the temple has been widely accepted as final.

The Thantric rights at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple is the hereditary right of the Thazhamon Brahmin family of Mundankavu near Chengannur. Legend has it that Lord Parasurama had brought the Thazhamon Thantris from Andhra Pradesh to perform the Thantric rites at various temples constructed in Kerala after reclaiming the land from sea.

Presently, there are three Thantris from the three branches of the Thazhamon Illom who perform the Thantric rites at the Ayyappa Temple on alternate annual terms. The Thantri is regarded as the final authority on ritualistic matters at the temple and the Melsanthi, his assistant.

The TDB under the leadership of the then president, Mr. T.N. Upendranatha Kurup, had introduced the present system of draw of lots in 1980 to select the Sabarimala Melsanthi every year following largescale allegations of corruption in the selection process. The new system was an endeavour to put an end to the alleged corrupt practices in the selection of a priest to the noble post of the Sabarimala Melsanthi, says Mr. Kurup.

The Melsanthi's post at Sabarimala has long been regarded as a highly lucrative one and under the new selection system the chances of corruption were less, opined many senior priests.

The TDB used to shortlist a few names from among the applicants after conducting a personal interview at the board headquarters and put their names in the draw of lots held at the Sopanam of the Ayyappa Temple on the first day of the Malayalam month of Thulam over the past two decades.

The new Melsanthi would assume charge on the first day of the Malayalam month of Vrischikam after a customary installation ceremony at the temple Sopanam on the Vrischikom eve.

Until last year, the interview board comprised the TDB president, the two members, the devaswom commissioner and the temple Thantri.

However, the TDB has reconstituted the interview board this year on the basis of a Court directive by limiting the interview board to three members, including the chairman. As per the new system, the three-member board will have the eldest member of the Thazhamon Illom as its chairman and two other Thantris nominated from outside by the TDB as members.

The traditional Thantris have strongly opposed the new formalities, condemning it as an onslaught on their hereditary rights over the ritualistic aspects of the Ayyappa Temple.

It is also a fact that unlike in other temples, the Thantri has to perform certain important daily poojas too at the Ayyappa Temple like Ganapathi homam, the Utcha pooja, etc.

Many religious scholars who talked to The Hindu here have opined that it was quite improper on the part of the TDB to nominate two other Thantris from outside to the three-member interview board that shortlists nine priests out of the 48 applicants for the post of the Sabarimala Melsanthi this year.

Some others allege that it is a TDB ploy to interfere in the Melsanthi selection process under the cover of the Court order.

The Thantri, Mr. Kantaru Maheswararu, said that the Thazhamon Thantris have already moved the Supreme Court challenging the High Court order permitting the inclusion of two Thantris from outside on the interview board. The case has been posted for hearing on October 29.

It is also learnt that a majority of the Thantri Samajam too support the stand taken by the Thazhamon Thantris saying that the issue involves the professional ethics of the Thantris.

The Thazhamon Thantris say that being the authority on the Thantric rites at the Ayyappa Temple, they could not tolerate any undue interference in the rituals of the Ayyappa Temple, adding that it is their prerogative to short-list the most-suited candidates from among the applicants for the draw of lots.

Whatever be the outcome of the controversy, there are many who feel that it is indicative of the erosion of values and credibility of the system that is supposed to protect the religious sentiments of scores of Ayyappa devotees and the sanctity of the Ayyappa shrine. Others allege that the Government appears to be least bothered about safeguarding the religious and spiritual sentiments of the devotees.

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