Guruvayur Temple's new head priest is also YouTuber, vlogger and Ayurvedic doctor
Dr Kiran Anand Kakkad, the new 'melshanti', is also trained in the 'mridangam' -- a percussion instrument -- and Carnatic music. He was trained in music by four gurus. He has sung in music albums and cover songs and manages a YouTube channel with his wife, who is also an ayurvedic doctor.
FollowThe next head priest or 'melshanti' of Kerala's revered Guruvayur temple in Thrissur is an ayurvedic doctor who is also a Youtuber, vlogger and singer. Dr Kiran Anand Kakkad hails from a long line of priests. The 34-year-old, who was selected as the Guruvayur temple's next 'melshanti' last week through a draw of lots, will assume charge from next month onwards for a period of six months, following which a new 'melshanti' will replace him.
Dr Kiran was practising ayurvedic medicine in a Russian Ayurveda clinic in Moscow for six years. Speaking to news agency Press Trust of India, Dr Kiran said he had to first undergo several 'pariharas' and pujas before he could even apply for the position.
As per customs, those travelling to foreign lands are disallowed from temple rituals or activities following a belief that their bodies would have suffered some evil effects due to which they would not be able to perform 'nityakarmas' -- rituals that Hindus have to perform every day. Dr Kiran said he had to undergo rituals to 'nullify the evil effects' on the body while he was abroad.
"Some rituals or 'pariharas' have to be performed to nullify the evil effects on your return. underwent the 'parihara' pujas on my return home even though I was performing my pujas even when I was in Russia," he said.
Dr Kiran said he decided to return to India despite a successful six-year-long career in Russia as per his father's wishes.
"I am a hereditary priest. My father is a priest too. We are one of the four othikkan families in Guruvayur temple. Since my father was getting old, he asked me to return and take over the othikkan (ritual) duties. So I returned," he said.
Othikkans are priests who perform daily rituals in the temple.
Besides taking over from his father, he also had plans to open an ayurvedic clinic.
With him being appointed as 'melshanti', Dr Anand has put his plans to open an ayurvedic clinic on hold for at least six months. As 'melshanti', he will always be inside the temple.
"I cannot even go home," he said, adding that after the new melshanti takes over, he can return to his daily routines and ayurvedic practice.
Dr Kiran is also trained in the 'mridangam' -- a percussion instrument -- and Carnatic music. He was trained in music by four gurus. He has sung in music albums and cover songs and manages a YouTube channel with his wife, who is also an ayurvedic doctor. His YouTube channel has videos of songs sung by the couple, their travel vlogs, their experiences in Russia and health-related tips.
"Once the six months are over, I will be an othikkan again. I can go about my daily routines, go home, run my clinic and perform the daily rituals and pujas," Anand said.
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