📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / AnjanaMenon at Malayalam Wikipedia
Religion
Disqualified Candidate Gets Interview Opportunity in Sabarimala Head Priest Selection
✍️ India Today
🗓 07 Oct 2026, 12:01 PM
👁 17
A previously disqualified aspirant for the Sabarimala chief priest post has been granted an interview, officials said.
The selection process for the chief priest (Mahanirvan) of the Sabarimala temple, one of Hinduism’s most visited shrines, has taken a new turn after a candidate who was earlier ruled ineligible was allowed to appear for an interview.
Temple authorities said the decision follows a review of the candidate’s documentation and a clarification of the earlier disqualification grounds, which related to specific eligibility criteria set by the Devaswom Board.
The interview, scheduled to be conducted by a panel of senior priests and board officials, will assess the candidate’s ritual knowledge, scriptural proficiency and adherence to the temple’s traditions.
The move has been described as a procedural step to ensure transparency in the selection, and no final decision on the appointment has been announced yet.
Observers note that the Sabarimala priesthood is highly coveted, and any change in the shortlist draws attention from devotees and media across the country.
Temple authorities said the decision follows a review of the candidate’s documentation and a clarification of the earlier disqualification grounds, which related to specific eligibility criteria set by the Devaswom Board.
The interview, scheduled to be conducted by a panel of senior priests and board officials, will assess the candidate’s ritual knowledge, scriptural proficiency and adherence to the temple’s traditions.
The move has been described as a procedural step to ensure transparency in the selection, and no final decision on the appointment has been announced yet.
Observers note that the Sabarimala priesthood is highly coveted, and any change in the shortlist draws attention from devotees and media across the country.