Chaganti Raja Veera Venkata Basava Koteswara Rao | |
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Personal | |
Born | Chaganti Koteswara Rao 14 July 1959 |
Religion | Sanatan Dharma |
Spouse | C. Subrahmanyeswaryi |
Children | C. Shanmukha Charan, C. Naga Srivalli |
Parents |
|
Philosophy | Advaita Vedanta |
Website | sriguruvaani |
Honors | Saradaa Jnana Puttra, Pravachana Chakravarti |
Quote | Bhava Sankara Desika Me Saranam (భవ శంకర దేశికమే శరణం) |
Chaganti Koteswara Rao is an Indian speaker known for his discourses on Sanatana Dharma.[1][2] An exponent in puranams, his discourses are widely followed and are telecast over television channels such as Bhakti TV and TTD and is quite popular among Telugu-speaking people all over the world.[3] He was also appointed as cultural adviser for the government of Andhra Pradesh in 2016.[4] He was also one of the 10 ambassadors Swacch Andhra Corporation.[5] He is also hired for state government activities. He was bestowed with titles like Pravachana Chakravarti (Emperor of discourses), and Sarada Jnana Putra (son of the Goddess of knowledge Saraswati).[6]
Chaganti Koteswara Rao was born on 14 July 1958 to the couple Chaganti Sundara Siva Rao and Chaganti Suseelamma in Eluru, Eluru District, Andhra Pradesh. His father was a staunch follower of Hindu Dharma. During his student days in Eluru, he used to participate in essay writing and elocution competitions on ancient Indian wisdom.[7]
He is married to Subrahmanyeswari and has two children Shanmukha Charan, and Nagavalli. Both are engineering graduates.[8] He worked for Food Corporation of India in Kakinada and retired as of August 2018.[8][9] His wife is a state government employee in Agricultural department.[9][10]
Chaganti Koteswara Rao garu regularly gives religious discourses on various Hindu epics like Bhagavata, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and various Puranas.[11] These are broadcast on various radio and TV channels. Some devotional TV channels set aside special slots for airing his discourses.[9] He does not accept any remuneration for delivering a discourse except his traveling expenses.[10]
He has several distinctions for delivering discourses. He completed the discourse on Ramayana in 42 days, Bhagavatam in 42 days, Siva Puranam in 30 days, and Sri Lalita Sahasra Namam in 2-3 months.[9]
He also delivered spiritual discourses based on musical films Sankarabharanam (1980) and Shrutilayalu (1987).[12]
Chaganti was appointed as cultural adviser for the government of Andhra Pradesh in 2016.[4] He was also one of the 10 ambassadors Swacch Andhra Corporation.[5]
On 5 March 2016, devotees of Shirdi Saibaba staged a protest against Chaganti Koteswara Rao's remarks about worship of Saibaba during a discourse in 2012. Pending case against him is brought to notice of the government. Later on clarification of his discourses holding huge respect significantly withdrawn the protest.[15]
He also faced protests from All India Yadava Mahasabha because of his remarks on Lord Krishna.[16] Later the representatives of the community went to his residence. He clarified that he hold respect for their community and does not intend to hurt any community.[17]