Updated On: 18 October, 2025 01:55 PM IST | Pathanamthitta (Kerala) | PTI
Hailing from Chalakudy in Thrissur, Prasad has been serving as a priest in Areswaram Dharmasastha Temple for the past three years

An ardent Ayyappa devotee, Prasad said he would like to reach the shrine at the earliest. Photo Courtesy: File pic
With the annual Manadalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season just weeks away, Prasad E D from Thrissur was selected on Saturday as the new `melsanthi` (chief priest) of the famed Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple here.
Manu Namboothiri M G, a native of Mayyanadu in Kollam district, was chosen as the melsanthi of Malikappuram shrine, situated just 100 meters away from Lord Ayyappa temple.