Former Kerala Chief Secretary K Jayakumar, who is set to take charge as the TDB president, said his ''immediate concern'' would be to ensure the smooth conduct of the two-month-long Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.

The annual pilgrimage will begin on November 17.

The former IAS officer said he was informed about his selection for the post by State Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan on Friday in Thrissur.

''An order will most likely be issued by Monday, as today is a holiday,'' he told reporters here on Saturday morning.

When asked whether taking charge of the post would be like wearing a ''crown of thorns'', given that several of his predecessors were embroiled in controversies, including the Sabarimala gold loss issue, Jayakumar replied in the negative.

''Not all crowns have thorn

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