Melshanthi

Melshanthi is the chief priest who performs day to day rituals in a Hindu temple in Kerala. This is not a hereditary right, unlike the position of the temple tantri who is the chief authority for rituals in a temple.

For example, at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, the Padi Pooja, Udayasthamana Pooja and Kalasa Poojas cannot be conducted unless the tantri is present during the ceremony.

Melshanti selection

In major temples such as Sabarimala and Guruvayur, the applicants are shortlisted by a preliminary interview by the members of the Devasom board. Out of the shortlisted 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 are 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.