The Travancore Devaswom Board has decided to re-name the famous Sabarimala temple at Pathanamthitta in Kerala.

From now on, Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha temple will be known as Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Swamy temple. Though the decision was taken by the Devaswom Board in a meeting held in October, temple PRO Murali told The News Minute that they are yet to receive an official circular of the order.

Devaswom Secretary VS Jayakumar also said that the name change will be duly recorded in the temple's official records.

A circular released by the Devaswom states that there are a number of Dharma Sastha temples under the Board, but the deity in Sabarimala accords the place a special significance.

"According to Hindu beliefs, Sabarimala is where Sree Ayyappa Swamy attained oneness with Dharma Sastha after completing his life's sojourn on earth. However, ever after the idol was dismantled and the temple restored, the shrine continued to be known as the Dharma Sastha temple. Taking into consideration the fact that this temple is the only one in the world with Sree Ayyappa as the presiding deity, and one which attracts hordes of pilgrims from across the world, the Board decided to amend the name accordingly," reads the circular.