25-04-2025
Junior pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam to be anointed on April 30
The Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam is all set to anoint Duddu Satya Venkata Surya Subrahmanya Ganesha Sharma Dravid as its 71st pontiff (acharya). He is set to be inducted into the mutt by the current seer, Vijayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal, at a function to be held in Kancheepuram on April 30.
Ganesha Sharma Dravid, a Rig Vedic scholar from Annavaram Kshetra in Andhra Pradesh, served at the Sri Gnana Saraswathi Devasthanam in Basara, Telangana. He was initiated into Vedic studies in 2006. In addition to the Rig Veda, he has also completed studies in the Yajurveda, Samaveda, Shadangas, and Dashopanishads. He has also been pursuing Shastric studies.
A team led by Kanchi Mutt manager Sundaresa Iyer held discussions with Kancheepuram Collector Kalaiselvi Mohan at the Collectorate on Friday (April 25, 2025), regarding preparatory work for the anointment ceremony. They also extended an invitation to her to attend the function.
The current pontiff Vijayendra Saraswathi was made acharya of the Peetam at the age of 15 by his predecessor, the 69th pontiff Jayendra Saraswathi, at a function held on May 29, 1983. Jayendra Saraswathi was made acharya by Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi, whom he succeeded at a grand religious function held on March 24, 1954.
