After an interlude of 54 years, the ceremony was performed at Sobhaparambu Sree Kurumba temple at Tanur near Malappuram recently when 40-year-old Rajeev took over as the master priest following the death of his father Appu.
Clad in a scarlet cloth with forehead smeared with sandal paste and 'sindoor', Rajeev stood with folded hands before a lighted brass lamp in front of the temple to seek the blessings of Bappu Hajee of Pazhayakath family.
As the auspicious moment came, Hajee declared Rajeev to be the master priest. The temple's 'tantri' (traditional high priest) Aniyan Nambbodirippad and patrons of the shrine were also present.
According to Hajee, the right of anointing the priest of the temple was conferred on his family by the erstwhile ruler of Vettathnadu principality some eight centuries ago.
When Rajeev's father Appu took over as the priest, he was blessed by Bappu Hajee's father Koyakutty Marakkar.
The senior member of the Hindu family traditionally authorised to conduct the rituals of the shrine, would come and seek the blessings of the head of Pazhayakath family before commencement of the festivals of the shrine.
"No one in my community has voiced resentment over the custom", said Hajee, who is also an office-bearer of the Mosque committee in the locality.