Sabarimala: None from the list knows Poojas

KOCHI: Justice K Padmanabhanam has reported at the High Court that those candidates who are included in the appointment list for the post of melshanthi to Sabarimala and Malikappuram do not know the religious rituals and poojas. A majority of them do not know what Tanthra and Aagamam are. Most of them have no previous practical experience with ceremonial offerings. The members of the interview board have given more marks for the ineligible ones. This was done for including their favourite ones in the short list of 18 candidates.

The basis qualification needed for the melshanthi post is 10 years’ experience as a priest in major temples. The tanthris and melshanthis of other temples are also eligible for the post. But the stunning revelation is that a retired college professor, a clerk in co-operative bank, a Keltron employee, and the like were present at the interview. And the tanthris (priests) who conducted the interview gave them experience certificate.

There was also an allegation that a tanthri who belonged to Thazhaman Illam issued a certificate to one of the priests. Justice Padmanabhan said this tanthri could have exempted at the time of interview.

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