President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious Padma Shri on Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid, a revered Vedic scholar and astrologer based in Kashi, whose precise astrological calculations determined the muhurtams for two of modern Bharat’s most iconic temple events — the Pran Pratishtha of Bhagwan Ram Lalla in Ayodhya and the revitalisation of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham.
#WATCH | Renowned Vedic scholar Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid receives Padma Shri award from President Droupadi Murmu.
He decided the auspicious time for Bhoomi Pujan and Pran Pratishtha of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple in Ayodhya and Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi.
(Video Source:… pic.twitter.com/o1YAepWuG0
— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2025
Though born in Tamil Nadu’s scholarly village of Thiruvisanallur near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district, Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid has made the historic Meerghat area of Varanasi his spiritual and academic base. As the second son of Rajeshwar Shastri, a celebrated Vedic luminary, and sibling to Pandit Vishweshwar Shastri, he is part of a formidable duo renowned for their mastery over Vedic rituals, astrology, Ayurveda, and Shastric discourse.
#PadmaAwards2025 | Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid, revered Vedic scholar from Kashi, has been conferred the Padma Shri for his exceptional contributions to literature and education. He was also instrumental in determining the auspicious timing for the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha. pic.twitter.com/qv01RjrSeS
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) January 25, 2025
Living and teaching at the Sangveda Vidyalaya, Dravid is also an active contributor to the Girvanavagvardhini Sabha, a traditional seat of Vedic authority in Kashi. His roots trace back to an illustrious legacy of Krishna Yajurveda scholars, including Ram Subramanya Ganapathi (a.k.a. Shesha Jata Vallabh), whose journey from southern Bharat to Kashi laid the foundation of a scholarly lineage that continues to illuminate the Hindu spiritual world.
Dravid’s astrological precision came into national limelight when he identified the highly auspicious 84-second muhurtham for the Ram Lalla consecration in Ayodhya, and a meticulously calculated 35-second window for the Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan. These precise timings were based on deep astronomical analysis and were hailed across religious and scientific circles for their accuracy and alignment with cosmic energies.
He also fixed the ceremonial timings for the Kashi Vishwanath Temple rejuvenation — further cementing his role as the custodian of sacred time in pivotal Hindu events.
Most recently, Dravid was seen sitting next to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter’s nomination filing from Varanasi on May 14, 2024, a moment that sparked widespread curiosity. Dressed in a simple white kurta, dhoti, and angaswatram, with a serene kumkum-marked forehead, the sight of this composed scholar beside the Prime Minister drew attention across national media and social platforms.
Even as he travels across Bharat spreading Vedic wisdom, it is Kashi — the eternal city — that remains his karmabhoomi. Through his counsel, lectures, and spiritual guidance, Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid continues to shape the cultural and dharmic resurgence of modern Bharat, making his Padma Shri a richly deserved tribute to a life dedicated to preserving the nation’s spiritual heritage.
