Prasad E D Appointed as New Chief Priest of Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa Temple Ahead of Annual Pilgrimage Season

Oct 18, 2025 03:29 pm CST

The renowned Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple has appointed Prasad E D from Thrissur as its new chief priest (melsanthi) through traditional selection methods, weeks before the annual Manadalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage begins. Meanwhile, Manu Namboothiri M G will serve as the chief priest of the nearby Malikappuram shrine. The temple is already witnessing heavy pilgrim crowds with President Draupadi Murmu scheduled to visit on October 22.