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Team Udayavani, Jan 30, 2025, 9:05 AM IST
Satyanarayana Thodtillaya (45) from Kokkada has been appointed as the Chief Priest (Periya Nambi) of the renowned Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He is the second son of the late Subraya Thodtillaya and Sharada.
The position of Chief Priest carries a special status with the traditional honor of being granted a ceremonial umbrella (Chhatri) by the temple administration. Notably, Satyanarayana Thodtillaya is the youngest person to ever assume this prestigious role.
Within just six months of becoming a temple priest, he has now been elevated to this significant position. The chief preist role alternates between two traditional lineages—the Akkare Deshi (comprising eight families from Kokkada) and the Ikkare Deshi (four families from Kerala). Previously, Rajendra Aremane Thaya (Akkare Deshi) served in this role for 1.4 years.
Once appointed, the Chief Priest must renounce household life and adopt an ascetic lifestyle. Additionally, he will hold exclusive rights to conduct all major temple rituals and festivals. Satyanarayana Thodtillaya will officially assume his new responsibilities on January 30.
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