Meet the new head priest of Guruvayur temple: Also an ayurvedic doctor, and YouTuber

The next 'melshanti' or head priest of Kerala's famous Guruvayur temple has many facets: he is an ayurvedic doctor, a singer, and a YouTuber.

34-year-old Dr Kiran Anand Kakkad, who was practicing ayurvedic medicine in a clinic in Moscow for six years, was picked as the next melshanti of Guruvayur temple last week by a draw of lots.

He is also well-trained in Carnatic music and the 'mridangam', and is a music therapist, besides having sung in music albums and cover songs.


Anand and his wife, also an Ayurvedic doctor, run a YouTube channel which features by them, their travel video logs, their experiences in Russia, and health related tips.

Anand, who comes from a long line of priests, will assume charge from the next month onwards for a period of six months after which a new melshanti would replace him after another draw of lots.

Since Anand was staying abroad he had to undergo several 'pariharas' and pujas on his return before even applying for the position. This, according to customs, is to nullify the "bad or evil effects" on the body while a person is overseas.

"I was performing pujas even while in Russia, but I underwent the 'parihara' pujas on my return to India," he told PTI.

Anand comes from one of the four families of othikkans - a category of priests who perform daily rituals - at the Guruvayur temple.

He and his wife had to leave behind the clinic in Moscow and come back at the wishes of his father who wanted him to take over the othikkan duties.

Anand, who was taught the various prayers, rituals and Vedas from a very young age, will spend six months in the temple once he assumes charge as melshanti.

After the new melshanti takes over he can go back to his daily routines and ayurvedic practice. "I can go about my daily routines, go home, run my clinic and perform the daily rituals and pujas," he said.