<p>Ayurveda doctor Kiran Anand Namboothiri is the new 'Melsanthi' (chief priest) of the famous Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple in Kerala.</p>.<p>Namboothiri of the Kakkad Othikkan family was selected on Saturday as the new chief priest for a six-month term from October 1.</p>.<p>Thirty-four-year-old Namboothiri has been practising as an Ayurveda doctor in Moscow for the last six years after his studies at Coimbatore. Namboothiri is also a musician and used to perform classical music.</p>.<p>He told DH that he considered it a blessing to be selected as the chief priest of Guruvayur temple. After his six-month term as the chief priest, he plans to continue with the Ayurveda and music professions and would also perform poojas.</p>.<p>As many as 41 persons applied for the chief priest post, of which 39 were shortlisted. The final selection was through a draw of lots. It is considered to be for the first time that a doctor is becoming the chief priest of the temple.</p>
<p>Ayurveda doctor Kiran Anand Namboothiri is the new 'Melsanthi' (chief priest) of the famous Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple in Kerala.</p>.<p>Namboothiri of the Kakkad Othikkan family was selected on Saturday as the new chief priest for a six-month term from October 1.</p>.<p>Thirty-four-year-old Namboothiri has been practising as an Ayurveda doctor in Moscow for the last six years after his studies at Coimbatore. Namboothiri is also a musician and used to perform classical music.</p>.<p>He told DH that he considered it a blessing to be selected as the chief priest of Guruvayur temple. After his six-month term as the chief priest, he plans to continue with the Ayurveda and music professions and would also perform poojas.</p>.<p>As many as 41 persons applied for the chief priest post, of which 39 were shortlisted. The final selection was through a draw of lots. It is considered to be for the first time that a doctor is becoming the chief priest of the temple.</p>