Sabarimala Tantri designate steps back, cites ill health ahead of pilgrimage season
Synopsis
The designated Tantri of Sabarimala has asked the Travancore Devaswom Board to pass over his appointment, citing ill health — but the move comes as SIT and ED probes into alleged gold misappropriation at the shrine near their conclusion, adding a legal dimension to what is already a religiously sensitive vacancy.
Key Takeaways
Kandararu Rajeevaru wrote to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) on 11 July requesting he not be appointed as Sabarimala Tantri this season, citing ill health.
He has proposed his son as an alternative candidate for the hereditary post.
The Tantri position belongs exclusively to the Thazhamon Madom family and rotates among eligible members.
Rajeevaru was arrested by the SIT and questioned by the ED over alleged misappropriation of gold ornaments from the Sabarimala temple; he is currently out on bail.
The TDB is awaiting the SIT's final charge sheet and Kerala High Court proceedings before making a decision.
The Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season begins in November , making an early resolution critical.
Kandararu Rajeevaru, who was designated to take charge as the hereditary chief priest (Tantri) of the Sabarimala temple for the upcoming pilgrimage season, has written to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) requesting that he not be considered for the appointment this year, citing ill health. The letter was submitted to the Board on Saturday, 11 July, months before the Mandala-Makaravilakku season is set to commence in November.
The Request and What It Means
In his communication to the TDB, Rajeevaru also requested that his son be considered in his place. The Board is expected to examine the request before arriving at a final decision, and is not likely to act immediately, according to reports.
The office of the Tantri at Sabarimala is hereditary and vests exclusively with the Thazhamon Madom family, which has held the ancestral right to perform the shrine's Tantric rituals across generations. The position rotates among eligible family members in keeping with long-established custom.
Legal Proceedings Cast a Shadow
The development carries added weight given the ongoing legal proceedings involving Rajeevaru. He was investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged disappearance and misappropriation of gold ornaments and other valuables belonging to the Sabarimala temple.
The investigations centred on allegations of missing gold from temple artefacts and financial irregularities relating to the shrine's treasures. Rajeevaru was arrested during the SIT probe and was also questioned by the ED under money-laundering provisions. He was subsequently granted bail, and the investigations are reportedly in their final stages.
TDB Awaits Court and SIT Developments
The TDB is understood to be watching further developments before taking a call — specifically, the filing of the SIT's final charge sheet and proceedings before the Kerala High Court. The Board's cautious approach reflects the sensitivity of the matter, both legally and in terms of the shrine's religious administration.
Why the Decision Is Time-Sensitive
With the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season — one of India's largest annual religious gatherings — only a few months away, the TDB faces pressure to resolve the Tantri appointment well in advance. The Tantri holds a central role in conducting the shrine's most important rituals and ceremonies, making the vacancy a matter of both religious and administrative urgency.
The Board's final decision on Rajeevaru's request, and on whether his son will be considered, is expected to become clearer as court proceedings advance in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
The TDB now faces a choice between religious continuity and institutional credibility. Appointing a family member under a legal cloud — even indirectly, through the son — risks drawing the Board into controversy it has long tried to sidestep. Yet delaying the Tantri appointment too close to November would disrupt one of India's most attended pilgrimages. The Board's silence on a timeline is telling: this is less an administrative question than a political and legal tightrope.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Kandararu Rajeevaru stepped back from the Sabarimala Tantri role?
Rajeevaru cited ill health in a letter submitted to the Travancore Devaswom Board on 11 July, requesting that he not be considered for the Tantri appointment for the upcoming pilgrimage season. He also asked the Board to consider his son in his place.
What is the Tantri position at Sabarimala?
The Tantri is the hereditary chief priest of the Sabarimala temple, responsible for conducting its most important Tantric rituals and ceremonies. The role belongs exclusively to the Thazhamon Madom family and rotates among eligible family members by tradition.
What legal cases is Kandararu Rajeevaru facing?
Rajeevaru was investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over the alleged disappearance and misappropriation of gold ornaments and valuables belonging to the Sabarimala temple. He was arrested during the SIT probe, questioned by the ED under money-laundering provisions, and was subsequently granted bail. The investigations are reportedly in their final stages.
When will the Travancore Devaswom Board decide on the Tantri appointment?
The TDB is not expected to take an immediate decision. It is awaiting the SIT's final charge sheet and developments in proceedings before the Kerala High Court before acting on Rajeevaru's request.
Why does the Tantri appointment matter for the Sabarimala pilgrimage season?
The Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season, one of India's largest annual religious gatherings, begins in November. The Tantri plays a central role in all major rituals during this period, making a timely appointment essential for the smooth conduct of the season.
