Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu – April 26, 2025: The revered Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, a prominent and the oldest Saivaite Mutt founded by Adi Shankaracharya, has announced the selection of its next junior seer, who will be the 71st Shankaracharya of the Mutt. The chosen successor is Duddu Sathya Venkata Surya Subramaniya Ganesh Sharma Dravid, a 24-year-old Rig Vedic scholar hailing from Annavaram in Andhra Pradesh. The auspicious anointment ceremony is scheduled for April 30, coinciding with Akshaya Trithiyai.
Vidwan Shri Ganesha Dravid Shastri, soon to be anointed as the 71st Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Moolamnaya Sarvajna Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.
Jaya Jaya Shankara 🙏
Hara Hara Shankara 🙏 https://t.co/ZJ26PywXUf pic.twitter.com/qNg6b6fF8l— Kamakoti Nilaya (@KamakotiNilaya) April 25, 2025
The announcement marks a significant moment for the Kanchi Mutt and its followers, particularly with the upcoming 2534th Jayanthi (birth anniversary) of Adi Shankaracharya on May 2. The installation of the new seer comes at a time of both tradition and transition within the ancient monastic order.
The Kanchi Mutt officially confirmed the selection in a statement released on Friday, April 25th. The preliminary rituals leading up to the Sanyasa Deeksha (ordination into monastic life) for Sri Ganesh Sharma Dravid have already commenced. These preparatory rites will culminate in a holy dip in the Pancha Ganga tank of the Kamatchi Amman temple on the morning of April 30th, between 6 am and 9 am. Following this sacred bath, the current Peethadipathi, Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, will bestow the Sanyasa Deeksha upon Sri Ganesh Sharma Dravid on the auspicious Akshaya Trithiya day.
Important Announcement #kamakoti pic.twitter.com/YXn1GTHQex
— KanchiMatham (@KanchiMatham) April 25, 2025
The current senior pontiff, Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, is the 70th Jagadguru Peethadipathi of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. Born Sankaranarayanan on March 13, 1969, he was inducted into the Mutt as Vijayendra Saraswathi 42 years ago, on May 29, 1983, at the young age of 14. He ascended to the position of Peethadipathi in 2018, succeeding Sri Jayendra Saraswathi, the 69th Pontiff, who attained Videha Mukti (liberation from the body) on February 28, 2018. Sri Jayendra Saraswathi himself had been anointed as the 69th junior head by the 68th Kanchi Mutt head, Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal, who attained Moksha on January 8, 1994.
The newly chosen junior seer, Sri Ganesh Sharma Dravid, was born in 2001 in Thuni village of Annavaram, located in the Nizamabad district of Andhra Pradesh (now part of Telangana). His parents are Srinivasa Surya Subrmanya Dhanvantri and Alamelu Manga Devi. Even at a young age, Sri Ganesh Sharma demonstrated a keen intellect and a deep inclination towards Vedic studies.
According to the Kanchi Mutt’s statement, Sri Ganesh Sharma Dravid is a distinguished Rig Vedic scholar, described as a “Salakshna Ganapati” (an expert in reciting the Rig Veda with proper intonation and rhythm). He has served at the Sri Gnana Saraswathi Devasthanam in Basara, Nirmal District, Telangana. The Mutt highlighted that Sri Ganesh Sharma Dravid has been under the blessings and continuous grace of the Pujya Sri Shankaracharya Swamighal of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham since his initiation into Vedic studies in 2006.
Under the guidance and blessings of the Kanchi Mutt, Sri Ganesh Sharma Dravid has not only completely mastered the Rig Veda but has also studied the Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, Shadangas (six auxiliary disciplines of the Vedas), and Dashopanishats (ten principal Upanishads). Furthermore, he has been pursuing advanced studies in Shastras (Hindu scriptures and philosophy).
Prior to his selection as the junior seer, Sri Ganesh Sharma Dravid also served as a temple priest at the Veera Venkata Sathyanarayana temple, further deepening his understanding and practice of Hindu traditions. His association with the Kanchi Mutt began in 2009 when he had the opportunity to have Darshan (auspicious viewing) of the incumbent Mutt head, Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, during the latter’s stay at his uncle’s residence in Tirupathi.
Impressed by his Vedic knowledge and potential, the Kanchi Mutt initiated background checks on Sri Ganesh Sharma Dravid. Subsequently, the Mutt provided him with support and resources to further his Vedic education in Annavaram, nurturing his scholarly pursuits.
The selection of a young and accomplished Vedic scholar from Andhra Pradesh underscores the Kanchi Mutt’s continued commitment to preserving and propagating Vedic knowledge and Sanatana Dharma across regional boundaries. The appointment has been met with positive responses from devotees and scholars alike.
Professor Venugopalan, in a tweet on X, expressed his satisfaction with the announcement, stating that the Jagadguru Sankaracharya Swamigal of Sri Kanchi Matham had found his successor to lead the followers of Sanatanadharma. He conveyed his prayers for Vidwan Ganesh Dravida as he receives Sanyasashrama Deeksha and undergoes further training.
https://xtwitter.com/Gopalee67/status/1915723963809906783
BJP senior leader H. Raja, a known disciple of the Mutt, also hailed the appointment in a tweet, expressing his joy and reverence for the selection.
ஜகத்குரு ஆதி சங்கராச்சார்யார் ஸ்வாமிகளால் தோற்றுவிக்கப்பட்ட ஸ்ரீ காஞ்சி காமகோடி பீடத்தின் அடுத்த பீடாதிபதியாக தஞ்சாவூரை பூர்வீகமாகக் கொண்ட ஸ்ரீ தத்து சத்ய வேங்கட சூர்ய சுப்ரமண்ய கணேச சர்மா டிராவிட் என்கிற இயற்பெயர் கொண்ட இளைஞரை காஞ்சி காமகோடி பீடாதிபதி சங்கராச்சார்யார் பால… pic.twitter.com/lYmRHXmwJ4
— H Raja (@HRajaBJP) April 25, 2025
Sri Ganesh Sharma Dravid’s Vedic education has been extensive and rigorous. He received his initial Vedic training under the tutelage of Chandukutlu Hosamane Ratnakara Bhat Sharma of Karnataka. He furthered his studies in Shabdamanchari (a grammatical text), Dhaaturupavali (a book on verb conjugations), Samasa Kusumavali (a compilation of compound words), and other important Sanskrit texts under Pallamudi Sathya Venkata Ramanamurthy, a respected Vedic scholar associated with the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). Additionally, he began learning Vedic interpretation and Sanskrit grammar under Sri Kammampalli Satheeshacharyar, a renowned Rig Veda scholar and Sanskrit teacher.
Despite his deep immersion in traditional Vedic studies, Sri Ganesh Sharma Dravid also pursued formal education, completing his studies up to Class 10, starting from LKG (Lower Kindergarten) in Annavaram. This blend of traditional and modern education highlights a well-rounded individual poised to take on the responsibilities of a significant spiritual leadership role.
The anointment of Sri Ganesh Sharma Dravid as the junior seer on Akshaya Trithiyai, a day considered highly auspicious for new beginnings and spiritual endeavors, is expected to be a significant event, drawing devotees and dignitaries to Kancheepuram. The Kanchi Mutt, with its long and illustrious history dating back to BCE 482, continues to play a vital role in the spiritual and cultural landscape of India, and the selection of a young and learned successor ensures the continuity of its traditions and teachings for generations to come. The transition marks not an end, but a new chapter in the enduring legacy of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.
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