Melshanthi
Encyclopedia
Melshanthi is the chief priest who performs day to day poojas in the Sabarimala
Ayyappan
temple.
These Melshanthis come from a specific family called the Thazhamon family. The Tantris
of this family reside at Thazhamon Madom
. This madom is in Chengannur of central Kerala
. Apart from Sabarimala, the family presides over the poojas at Aryankavu
, Achankoil and Kulathupuzha
. The Padi Pooja, Udayasthamana Pooja and Kalasa Poojas cannot be conducted unless the Thantri is present during the ceremony.
The applicants are short listed by a preliminary interview by the members of the Devasom board. Out of the short listed candidates, one is selected by Lord's grace by a method which is just like a lucky dip. In this process the names of each shortlisted candidate is written on a piece of paper and folded and deposited in a pot. Another ten pieces of paper are taken and on one paper the word 'Melshanthi' is written and the remaining 9 papers are folded blank and dropped in another pot.
Both the pots are taken inside the shrine by Tantri and offered a special pooja. Later a child is made to take the papers from both the pots one by one. The child takes a paper each from both the pots. When a name and a blank paper match the candidate is rejected. When a name and the word 'melshanthi' matches the candidate is selected. This is the way a Melshanthi is selected for the poojas.
Sabarimala
Sabarimala is a Hindu pilgrimage center located in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District in Kerala. It is the largest annual pilgrimage in India with an estimated 45–50 million devotees visiting every year. Sabarimala is believed to be the place where the Hindu God Ayyappan...
Ayyappan
Ayyappan
Ayyappan is a Hindu deity worshiped in a number of shrines across India. Ayyappan is believed to be an incarnation of Dharma Sastha, who is the son of Shiva and Vishnu . The name "Ayyappan" is used as a respectful form of address in the Malayalam language, spoken in the Indian state of Kerala...
temple.
These Melshanthis come from a specific family called the Thazhamon family. The Tantris
Tantris
Tantris is a restaurant in Munich, Germany. Opened in 1971, it is regarded as one of the best restaurants in Germany. It was voted 44th best in the world in the Restaurant Top 50 2009. Chefs have included Eckart Witzigmann and Heinz Winkler. Since 1991, the chef has been Hans Haas.-External...
of this family reside at Thazhamon Madom
Thazhamon Madom
Thazhamon madom is the home the tantris of sabarimala reside. The members of this madom are the traditional priests of Sabarimala temple. This madom is in Mundencavu in Chengannur of central Kerala.The Padi Pooja, Udayasthamana Pooja and Kalasa Poojas cannot be conducted unless the Thantri is...
. This madom is in Chengannur of central Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. Apart from Sabarimala, the family presides over the poojas at Aryankavu
Aryankavu
Aryankavu is a village in Kollam district, Kerala. It lies on National Highway 208 near Punalur and Thenmala.It is a hillside village through where the western ghats passes.The Punalur-Shenkottai metre gauge railway line passes through Aryankavu....
, Achankoil and Kulathupuzha
Kulathupuzha
Kulathupuzha is a village in the Kollam district of Kerala state, India. This town is situated on the Thiruvananthapuram - Shenkottai road. Kulathupuzha is 62 km away from Thiruvananthapuram and 64 km away from Kollam....
. The Padi Pooja, Udayasthamana Pooja and Kalasa Poojas cannot be conducted unless the Thantri is present during the ceremony.
Mode of selection
The term of Melshanthi lasts for one year from mid October to the next mid October. The Devosom board publishes notifications in the end of July or the first of August in leading newspapers for applications from eminent priests, well versed in Vedas and experienced in mantra and tantra. Those who have served already a term as Melshanthi cannot reapply.The applicants are short listed by a preliminary interview by the members of the Devasom board. Out of the short listed candidates, one is selected by Lord's grace by a method which is just like a lucky dip. In this process the names of each shortlisted candidate is written on a piece of paper and folded and deposited in a pot. Another ten pieces of paper are taken and on one paper the word 'Melshanthi' is written and the remaining 9 papers are folded blank and dropped in another pot.
Both the pots are taken inside the shrine by Tantri and offered a special pooja. Later a child is made to take the papers from both the pots one by one. The child takes a paper each from both the pots. When a name and a blank paper match the candidate is rejected. When a name and the word 'melshanthi' matches the candidate is selected. This is the way a Melshanthi is selected for the poojas.