Alappuzha: Divyashree Umadevi Antharjanam (96), head priestess of Haripad Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple passed away on Wednesday morning at her residence in Mannarasala.

She took over as Mannarasala Amma after the demise of the former Mannarasala Valiyamma, Savitri Antharjanam in 1993. The Antharjanam who performs puja and related rituals at the Mannarasala Nagaraja is called the ‘Mannarasala Amma’. 

She was the daughter of MG Narayanan, and was a member of the Mannarasala ‘Illam’. With her husband, Nayaranan Namboothiri's demise, Umadevi Antharjanam found her place as an aide of the Mannarasala Valiyamma. Although there were other older members in the ‘Illam’ who could have succeeded Savitri Antharjanam, Umadevi was chosen as per the ‘moopumura’.