
Ganesha Sharma Dravid to be anointed 71st Uttaradhikari of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam
Peetathipathi of Kanchi Math, Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamy will give Sanyasa Deeksha to Dravid, a Rig Vedic scholar, an announcement by the Math.
In a formal communication, Srikaryam Sundaresha Iyer conveyed the decision to Ganesha Sharma Dravid's parents, Mangadevi and Danvantari.
Subrahmanya Ganesha Sharma Dravid, aged 25, hails from a deeply spiritual family. His father, Danvantari, serves as a first-class priest at the renowned Sri Satyanarayana Swamy temple in Annavaram. He has a sister and belongs to a lineage steeped in Vedic tradition, with his maternal grandfather being the distinguished scholar Bhallamudi Suryanarayana and his paternal grandfather Duddu Subrahmanyam.
Following the revered tradition of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, only a disciple who has formally undergone monastic initiation by the sitting Peethadhipati is chosen as successor.
Fittingly, Subrahmanya Ganesha Sharma Dravid's elevation will coincide with the 2,534th birth anniversary of Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya, adding special significance to the occasion.
Ganesha Sharma Dravid's scholastic journey began in 2006. A Rigveda scholar, he has served at the sacred Annavaram temple and at the Basara Sri Jnana Saraswati Devasthanam in Telangana's Nizamabad (Nirmal district).
Over the years, he expanded his expertise to include the Yajurveda, Samaveda, and the Dashopanishads, earning the guidance and blessings of the Shankaracharya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
How buffalo is integral to India's cultural imagination
Buffaloes are found in ponds, rivers, marshes, and wetlands meant for rice cultivation. Cows, on the other hand, prefer drier jungle areas. India has both dry jungles and wet river basins. Dry areas are meant for wheat and millet cultivation, while wet areas are for rice cultivation. Cows and bulls thus represent two different ecosystems of India. Nomads move around with cows, while farmers are linked to buffaloes, who do not enjoy moving away from their watery habitat. Bulls are castrated and used as bullocks for pulling carts and for tilling hard soil. Male buffaloes do not need to be castrated. They can be controlled by nose rings. Some buffaloes can also be used as pack animals and used to till flooded rice fields. While most Indians focus on cows, we often overlook how important buffaloes are to India's economic ecosystem, and how they play a key role in rituals, art and culture. Buffaloes are depicted on Harappan seals, indicating they were domesticated and were part of the Harappan civilization over 4,500 years ago. This was the river buffalo, whose milk was curdled and churned into butter that was made into ghee. Buffaloes were also used for meat (even today India is a major exporter of buffalo meat), and their bones were used for making tools. The buffalo is found on the famous Pashupati seal facing the hermit who wears buffalo-horns on his head. Buffalo horns are also found on other seals, indicating power and virility. Around 3,500 years ago, in the Rig Veda (4.18.13), the mighty Indra, energised by the Soma drink, is equated with a wild buffalo. About 2,000 years ago, in Tamil Sangam poetry, Kuruntokai 65, the buffalo in a lotus pond is equated with an uncouth man who doesn't appreciate the refined girl he is about to marry. This indicates how integral the buffalo was to India's cultural imagination, from North to South India. The Mahisha Jataka, illustrated on the walls of Ajanta, speaks of a gentle buffalo who tolerates the mischief of a monkey. He refuses to punish the monkey for his irritating and incorrigible behaviour, even though he is advised to do so by the tree spirit or yaksha. One day, the gentle buffalo is away and his place is taken by another buffalo. The monkey, without realising it is another buffalo, plays the same tricks and is trampled to death. In Jain mythology, the buffalo is the emblem of the 12th Tirthankara Vasupujya. The Jain Yakshi Jwalamalini is shown riding a buffalo. As per one story, the Yakshi was a devout Jain in her previous life, who fed Jain monks, but her husband treated her badly. So she was reborn as a Yakshi and she rides a buffalo who was her husband reborn. The buffalo plays a very important role in Hindu mythology. It is the vahana (vehicle) of Yamraj, the god of death. The buffalo is also popular as the demon Mahisha who is slain by the many-armed goddess Durga. The oldest image of this goddess killing the demon was found in Rajasthan and dated to 100 BC. Many terracotta images from the Kushan age show the goddess killing the buffalo with her bare hands. Later, the image gets more elaborate. The goddess is shown riding her lion and killing the buffalo by pinning him down with her feet. Such images are found in the Gupta, Chalukya, and Pallava temples. Now they are part of the Navaratri celebrations held every autumn across India. In folk festivals across Deccan, a young male buffalo (reda) is offered to the goddess as a sacrifice. The offering of buffalo to the goddess is also meant to make her happy so that the children are safe from tiger attacks. When one buffalo is sacrificed, its leg is put in its mouth and presented to the goddess. This practice is found in Nepal, too. At the same time, a new male calf is chosen and fattened up the whole year to be offered to the goddess the following year. Such rituals ensure the fertility of the earth: with new life replacing old life. In Kerala, the local god Ayyappa, son of Hara (Shiva) and Hari (Vishnu), defeats Mahishi, the sister of Mahisa. In Maharashtra, there is worship of Mhaso-ba the buffalo-god, husband of the village goddess. It seems that while the buffalo suitor of the goddess is killed, she chooses the bull-riding Shiva as her husband. Many folk goddesses of the Deccan region have young male priests called Potraj or the buffalo king, who lead processions in honour of the goddess. The Potraj is dressed like a fierce man with whips, and found in processions such as Bonalu, celebrated in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. This figure is sometimes identified as the son of Kali, and sometimes as her husband, while he calls himself her servant. What does the depiction of buffaloes on Harappan seals and on the famous Pashupati seal indicate? How does the buffalo feature in Jain and Hindu mythologies, and how does it indicate that buffaloes are integral to India's cultural imagination? What does the changing depiction of the buffalo in Hindu mythology – from a demon killed by the many-armed goddess Durga to being part of Navaratri celebrations – tell us? How does the ritual of buffalo sacrifice in folk festivals across Deccan reflect beliefs about fertility and protection? How do the stories of Mahishi in Kerala and Mhasoba in Maharashtra reflect regional variations in the portrayal of buffalo? (Devdutt Pattanaik is a renowned mythologist who writes on art, culture and heritage.) Share your thoughts and ideas on UPSC Special articles with Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.


Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Gifts to give your sister as per her zodiac sign for Raksha Bandhan in 2025
In 2025, Mangal (Mars) governs the celestial tide, intensifying themes of protection, devotion, and purposeful action—qualities deeply embedded in the sacred bond of Raksha Bandhan. In Vedic astrology, Mars represents the Kshatriya spirit—the one who shields, initiates, and stands in strength. This makes 2025 an especially powerful time for siblings to deepen their karmic connection. Choosing a gift based on your sister's zodiac sign can align the gesture with her planetary ruler, tattva (element), and inner dharma. Here's a thoughtfully curated guide. Aries (Mesha) – Ruled by Mars (Mangal) Gift: Red Jasper bracelet or energizing yantra Why: Mars gives Aries boldness but also restlessness. Red Jasper and sacred yantras help channel her vitality into purpose and discipline—very aligned in this Mangal year. Taurus (Vrishabha) – Ruled by Venus (Shukra) Gift: Luxurious silk shawl or rose-scented attar Why: Venus governs aesthetics, comfort, and refinement. Such gifts nurture her connection to Shukra tattva (earthy sensuality) and boost inner harmony. Gemini (Mithuna) – Ruled by Mercury (Budh) Gift: Handmade journal with sacred geometry or Tulsi mala Why: Mercury rules intellect and expression. Gifts that support her vāk shakti (speech power) and promote sattvic thought uplift her Budh-aligned mind. Cancer (Karka) – Ruled by Moon (Chandra) Gift: Pearl ring or silver photo frame Why: The Moon governs emotions and memory. Pearls stabilize the emotional body, and silver is a lunar metal that enhances her intuitive and nurturing nature. Leo (Simha) – Ruled by Sun (Surya) Gift: Gold-plated pendant or sun-engraved mirror Why: Surya is the atmakaraka (soul indicator) for Leos. Gold enhances her inner radiance and confidence, while solar symbols deepen her connection to dharma and self-worth. Virgo (Kanya) – Ruled by Mercury (Budh) Gift: Eco-stationery set or Rudraksha bracelet Why: Virgos value practicality and purity. Gifts that support organized thinking and spiritual grounding balance their Budhic energy. Libra (Tula) – Ruled by Venus (Shukra) Gift: Crystal diffuser or artwork with sacred balance symbols Why: Librans thrive on harmony. Gifts that calm Shukra's aesthetic sensitivity help restore inner balance in this active Mars year. Scorpio (Vrischika) – Ruled by Mars (Mangal) & Ketu (co-lord) Gift: Obsidian crystal or guided shadow-work journal Why: Scorpios experience Mars on a deeper, more transformative octave. Obsidian protects psychic energy; reflective tools help them harness hidden power. Sagittarius (Dhanu) – Ruled by Jupiter (Guru) Gift: Vedic philosophy book or copper kalash Why: Jupiter seeks wisdom. Gifts tied to spiritual expansion or rituals awaken their dharmic path, especially in a year focused on sacred protection. Capricorn (Makara) – Ruled by Saturn (Shani) Gift: Antique timepiece or Shani yantra Why: Shani values structure and legacy. Gifts at connect to timelessness or discipline honor their karmic journey and resilience. Aquarius (Kumbha) – Ruled by Saturn (Shani) & Rahu (co-lord) Gift: Singing bowl or futuristic tech with spiritual use Why: This air sign is both wise and progressive. Healing sound tools or conscious tech help merge Saturn's depth with Rahu's innovation. Pisces (Meena) – Ruled by Jupiter (Guru) Gift: Handmade mala or dream journal Why: Pisceans are spiritually inclined. Jupiter here brings empathy and expansion. A mala aids in japa sadhana, while a journal helps them anchor dream-like visions. This article is written by Prashant Kapoor, Celebrity Astrologer, Founder, AstroKapoor. Discover everything about astrology at Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces . Read your detailed Horoscope Today and Horoscope Tomorrow here.


News18
4 days ago
- News18
Chhari Pujan performed on Lord Shivas holy mace on Nag Panchami
Srinagar, Jul 29 (PTI) The 'Chhari-Pujan' of Lord Shiva's holy mace was performed on Tuesday at the Amareshwar temple in the Mahadev Gir Dashnami Akhara here on the occasion of Nag Panchami, officials said. Amid chants of Vedic hymns, Mahant Deependra Giri, the mace's custodian,� led a group of sadhus in performing the puja, they said. Giri now will carry the mace to the Amarnath cave shrine for a puja and darshan on the morning of Shravan Purnima on August 9, the officials added. The yatra will have night halts in Pahalgam, Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni before reaching the holy cave. More than 3.93 lakh pilgrims have performed the Amarnath Yatra since the pilgrimage began on July 3. PTI MIJ OZ OZ OZ First Published: July 30, 2025, 00:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.