The new head priest will assume charge when the pilgrim season begins on November 17 (Vrischikam 1) and will remain at the temple for a year.

Kochi: He once chanted revolutionary slogans of the Left-leaning Students Federation of India. Now, S.E. Sankaran Namboothiri of Karakkatt Illam in Kottayam district will chant the sacred hymns in the sanctum sanctorum of the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple as its head priest (melsanthi).

Luck favoured Mr Nampoothiri, 47, the present head priest of Jalahalli Ayyappa temple in Bengaluru, when eight-year-old Saran Varma of Pandalam palace picked the lots for the head priest on Sunday at the sannidhanam on the temple premises.

The new head priest will assume charge when the pilgrim season begins on November 17 (Vrischikam 1) and will remain at the temple for a year. Mr Nampoothiri was an active member of the SFI while doing his BA in Malayalam at NSS Hindu College, Changanacherry.

He was elected editor of the college magazine in 1991-1992 and University Union Councillor of Mahatma Gandhi University in 1992-1993. He served as a priest at the Vasudevapuram Temple, Perunna, Changanassery, as a student.

“He was active in student politics during his five years in the college,” said Latha Sankaran, his wife. “After college, he turned to teaching and then to priesthood,” Pranav Sankar, his son, said.