Kandararu Brahmadathan will be named Sabarimala Tantri

Tanthri Kandararu Brahmadathan | Photo credit: LEJU KAMAL

Kandararu Brahmadathan of Thazhamon Madhom will be appointed Tantri (head priest) of the Sabarimala temple, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) decided on Saturday (July 25, 2026).

The decision was taken at a TDB meeting attended by TDB President K. Jayakumar and members K. Raju and PD Santhosh Kumar.

Mr. Brahmadathan, who is the son of former tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru, will hold the position for one year from Chingam 1 Malayalam Era 1202 (August 17, 2026) to Karkkadakam 31, 1202 (August 16, 2027).

Earlier this month, citing ill health, Mr. Rajeevaru asked to be released as a Tantri.

Mr. Rajeevaru was also booked as an accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case. In a letter to TDB, Mr. Rajeevaru also requested that his son replace his son as Sabarimala Tantri.

The Kerala High Court asked the Travancore Devaswom Committee to accept the call for the appointment of Mr. Brahmadathan Tantri. A bench of Justices V Raja Vijayaraghavan and KV Jayakumar wanted the court to be apprised of Tantri’s position by July 27.

Published – 25 Jul 2026 14:44 IST