Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Viswa Mahavidyalaya (SCSVMV), a deemed-to-be university sponsored by the Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Charitable Trust, has announced admissions for its newly launched Anvikshiki School of Law for Women. This pioneering initiative aims to empower women through legal education and build the next generation of women leaders in law.

Located in the historic temple town of Kanchipuram, the institution offers three key programmes:

• B.A. LL.B. (Hons.)
• B.B.A. LL.B. (Hons.)
• LL.B. (Hons.)

The law school is exclusively for women and seeks to foster a supportive and focused academic environment. Preference in admissions will be given to candidates with valid CLAT scores. The university promises an education led by expert faculty and seasoned legal professionals, with practical exposure through moot courts and legal aid clinics.

The Anvikshiki School of Law also boasts a dedicated law library and offers merit scholarships to eligible students. Hostel facilities are available for outstation candidates. Admissions are currently open, and applicants can apply online through the university’s official website: www.kanchiuniv.ac.in.

This initiative marks a significant step toward empowering women through legal literacy and justice-oriented careers and aims to create a nurturing space where women are trained not just in legal theory, but also in the practice and ethics of law.

This women-centric law school is part of the broader educational and spiritual vision of the Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt, which has consistently supported initiatives for women’s upliftment and value-based learning.

School of Law exclusively for Women. A Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt initiative. Admission Open now. pic.twitter.com/sqMObAGdr8

— trramesh (@trramesh) May 30, 2025

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The post Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Launches Exclusive Women’s Law School At Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Viswa Mahavidyalaya In Kanchipuram appeared first on The Commune.

On Akshaya Tritiya this year, a historic moment unfolded at the sacred precincts of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam in Kancheepuram. A 25-year-old Rig Vedic scholar from Andhra Pradesh, Ganesha Sharma Dravid—now initiated as Sri Satya Chandrashekarendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya—was anointed as the 71st pontiff of the Peetam. While the rituals were majestic and the occasion momentous, what transpired was far more than ceremonial—it was the spiritual death of an individual and the silent, dignified sacrifice of a family.

What Is Sanyasa?

Sanyasa is the ultimate renunciation in the Hindu tradition. It is not merely about giving up material possessions—it is about relinquishing identity, lineage, personal will, and all worldly ties. The one who enters Sanyasa no longer lives for oneself. He or she becomes a vessel of Dharma, an instrument of the Divine.

This transformation is not metaphorical. It is enacted through elaborate rites that include the symbolic performance of one’s own funeral (antyeshti). The renunciate shaves their head, gives up the yajnopavitam (sacred thread), performs their own shraddha (ancestral rites), and offers food to themselves as if dead. Through this, the renunciate signals that the person born to a certain family, of a certain caste and name, has ceased to exist. What remains is a spiritual being, no longer a son, brother, or friend—only a child of the cosmos.

From Ganesha Sharma Dravid To Sri Satya Chandrashekarendra Saraswathi

Sri Duttu Satya Venkata Surya Subramania Ganesha Sharma was born in 2001 in Dhuni, Andhra Pradesh, to Sri Srinivasa Surya Subramania Dhanvanthri, a Vratha Purohit at the Sri Satyanarayana Swamy Temple in Annavaram, and Smt. Alivelu Mangadevi. Encouraged by the blessings of the Kanchi Kamakoti Shankaracharya, he began his Vedic education under Rig Vedic scholar Sri Ratnakara Bhat Sharma and trained rigorously for 12 years in the Rig Veda Samhita, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads, and recitation methods like Pada and Krama.

He also studied texts like Pratishakhya and Shiksha under other esteemed scholars, while completing his formal education up to Class 10 in Annavaram. Ganesha Sharma served as a Rig Vedic Parayana scholar at temples such as Basara Saraswathi Temple and participated in key religious events like Mahamaham, Athivaradar Darshanam, and Chaturmasya camps. He also began mentoring young students in Rig Veda recitation.

In April 2024, the Shankaracharya personally charted his next phase of learning. With the Peetham’s blessings, he continued to advance studies in Yajur and Sama Veda, Vedanta, and Shastric disciplines, emerging as a promising scholar in the Vedic tradition.

The Ceremony: A Death And A Birth

The rituals began at approximately 5:00 AM. His Holiness, accompanied by Vedic hymns, traditional music, and a group of devotees, proceeded from Shrimatam to the Kamakshi temple, arriving by 5:30 AM. A warm welcome with Poornakumbham greeted him at the temple entrance, while the skies of Kanchipuram lit up with vibrant fireworks and echoed with celebratory sounds.

The ceremony took place at the Mangala Vinayaka Sannidhi, located by the Pancha-Ganga teertham. Sri Ganesha Sharma Dravid performed a ritual bath in the sacred pond and, amidst chants of mantras symbolizing renunciation, received the saffron robes, staff (Danda), water vessel (Kamandala), and seat (Asana). His Holiness imparted the Mahavakya teachings and performed an abhishekam by placing a Sudarsana Salagrama on the initiate’s head, using a conch for the ritual. In a multilingual address, His Holiness delivered an inspiring message to the global audience and formally conferred the deeksha name upon the new Acharya.

At the heart of the Sanyasa ritual is the Viraja Homa, a sacred fire ceremony in which the initiate symbolically offers up every aspect of their physical and subtle existence: bones, skin, breath, even thoughts and identities. As the mantras rise, so does the renunciate’s inner flame of detachment. “Jyotiraham viraja vipapma bhuyasam,” the initiate declares—“May I become a being of light, free from all stain.”

Then comes the declaration:

“Om bhuh sanyastam maya — I have renounced the earthly realm.

Om bhuvah sanyastam maya — I have renounced the intermediate realm.

Om svah sanyastam maya — I have renounced the celestial realm.”

And finally, the vow, “Abhayam sarvabhuteshu mattah — May all beings be free from fear of me.”

In these solemn words, the renunciate offers reassurance to the entire universe: “I am no longer a danger to any living being. I am a monk. I will wage no external war. My only battle is within.”

A Family’s Silent Heroism

In our celebration of the spiritual elevation of a renunciate, we often overlook the quiet courage of those left behind. The parents who once raised this child, the sister who shared childhood stories and meals, must now let go—not with sorrow, but with sacred pride.

They do not just say goodbye to a family member. They relinquish all claims to him. The new Acharya will no longer perform ancestral rites for his family. He will not light the pyres of his parents. He will not carry forward the family lineage. In offering him to the world, they sever ties that, for most people, define life itself.

When people say the family has “given up their own,” it is not just poetry—it is a profound existential truth. This is not a metaphorical separation. The thread of lineage is cut. The karmic chain, at least for this soul, ends here. And yet, this sacrifice is borne without grief or complaint. It is held as a badge of honor, as a family’s own offering to Dharma.

A Line Of Living Light

The new junior pontiff at Kanchi now joins an unbroken spiritual lineage that stretches back to Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya, who is said to have founded the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam in 482 BCE. His predecessor, Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi, was himself initiated into Sanyasa at the age of 15. And before him, the great Jayendra Saraswathi was chosen by none other than the legendary Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi, the Maha Periyava.

In this living chain of renunciation, every Acharya becomes not just a scholar or leader—but a burning flame of detachment and guidance.

To take Sanyasa is to walk into one’s own funeral and emerge as a living embodiment of the Infinite. It is to renounce not only wealth, power, and ego—but even memory, belonging, and selfhood. And for the family that gives such a soul to the world, it is a sacrifice no less sacred.

In an age that celebrates ownership, Sanyasa is the ultimate act of liberation. And in an era that measures worth by ties and achievements, the renunciate’s worth lies in having none.

The entire Hindu community is indebted to Sri Srinivasa Surya Subramania Dhanvanthri and Smt. Alivelu Mangadevi who gave up their own for the welfare of the world and to uphold the eternal dharma.

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A distinguished Rig Veda scholar from the holy town of Annavaram in Andhra Pradesh is set to become the 71st Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. Duddu Satya Venkata Surya Subramanya Ganesha Sharma Dravid will be anointed on April 30, 2025, coinciding with Akshaya Tritiya—an auspicious day in the Hindu calendar—at a ceremony in Kanchipuram. The announcement was made by the Kanchi mutt.

The Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham claims an unbroken lineage spanning over 2,500 years, tracing back to Adi Shankaracharya, who is believed to have founded the institution in 482 BCE. The installation of the 71st pontiff also coincides with the 2534th birth anniversary of Adi Shankaracharya on May 2, making the occasion even more significant. Vijayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya, the 70th pontiff who has led the Peetham for nearly four decades, will oversee the anointment.

Early Life

Sri Duttu Satya Venkata Surya Subramania Ganesha Sharma was born in 2001 in Dhuni, Andhra Pradesh. His father, Srinivasa Surya Subramania Dhanvanthri, serves as a Vratha Purohit at the Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy Temple in Annavaram. His mother is Alivelu Mangadevi.

Sri Sharma received his Vedic education under the tutelage of Chandukutlu Hosamane Ratnakara Bhat Sharma of Karnataka.

He further pursued studies in Shabdamanchari, Dhaaturupavali, Samasa Kusumavali, and other Sanskrit texts under Pallamudi Sathya Venkata Ramanamurthy, a Vedic scholar associated with the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. Additionally, he began learning Vedic interpretation and Sanskrit grammar under Sri Kammampalli Satheeshacharyar, a Rig Veda scholar and Sanskrit teacher.

Besides his traditional Vedic training, Ganesha Sharma also pursued formal education, completing studies up to Class 10, beginning from LKG (Lower Kindergarten) in Annavaram.

Vedic Journey

In May 2009, during a summer vacation, his grandfather, the late Sri Duttu Subramaniam, took young Subramania Ganesha Sharma to visit his maternal uncle’s home in Tirupati. There, they had darshan of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham’s Shankaracharya from a distance.

Noticing the boy, the Acharya called them close, blessed him, and advised that the boy should be enrolled in Vedic studies under Sri Ratnakara Bhat Sharma, a renowned Rig Veda scholar and Salakshana Ganapati serving at the holy Dwaraka Tirumala.

Following the Acharya’s guidance, young Ganesha Sharma was enrolled under Sri Ratnakara Bhat Sharma.
Under his Guru’s watchful guidance, he remained for 12 years, serving diligently and learning the Rig Veda Samhita, Aitareya Brahmana, Aranyaka, and Upanishads. He also studied Pada and Krama recitations.

Later, he received advanced training in related Vedic texts like Pratishakhya and Vyali Shiksha under the guidance of Sri Srinivasa Sharma, the son of Ratnakara Bhat Sharma, who was famous for his expertise in Mantra Ucchadana and served at the Suryanarayana Temple in Arasavalli.

His immersion in Sanskrit, Vedic texts, and Vedanta studies laid deep foundations for his scholarship in Vedic philosophy.

Service at Temples And Association With The Mutt

Ganesha Sharma served as a Rig Vedic Parayana scholar at the Gnana Saraswathi Temple in Basara, Telangana.

During the Chaturmasya observance at Vijayawada, he had the darshan of Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya. He also had the rare opportunity to have darshan during the Mahamaham festival, which takes place once every 12 years in Kumbakonam, and during the 2019 Athivaradar Darshanam at Kanchipuram.

When Shankaracharya camped at Mahabubnagar, he informed him of completing his Vedic studies and temple service Later, during the Chaturmasya celebrations at Kakinada in 2022, he participated in the Pratishakhya Sadas, receiving further blessings.

Before embarking on a pilgrimage to Kashi, he continued to have regular darshan and perform Vedic recitations at the Shankaracharya’s camp at Nizamabad, expressing his deep interest in Sanskrit learning.

On December 16, 2023, after completing his pilgrimage to Kashi, he visited Basara Saraswathi Temple, received Teertha Prasadam from Shankaracharya, and submitted a report on his progress in Sanskrit learning and his study of Vedarthas (interpretations of the Vedas).

He also mentioned his efforts to teach Rig Veda Padapatha to two young students, earning the Acharya’s affectionate blessings and encouragement to participate in Paramacharya’s Aradhana festivals.

Recent Activities

In January 2024, he participated in Rig Veda Samhita Parayanam at Skandagiri as part of Paramacharya’s Aradhana celebrations, expressing his growing interest in Vedantic studies.

He also undertook pilgrimages to holy places like Dandalam (the pre-ascetic village of Vijayendra Saraswathi), Kakavakkam, and Soolameni Agraharam.

Following Acharya’s guidance, he spent ten days at Tirupati in March 2024, participating in Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal’s Aradhana Mahotsavam.

On April 12, 2024, he personally performed abhishekam for Saraswathi Devi at Basara, praying for permission to continue his higher education at Kanchipuram. The next day, he visited Kanchipuram, had darshan of Kamakshi Devi, and paid respects at the Brindavanams (samadhis) of Paramacharya and Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal.

On April 14, 2024, Shankaracharya personally outlined a detailed study and practice plan for him under his direct supervision.

With the blessings of the Peetham, Sri Ganesha Sharma continues his advanced studies in Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, Shadangas, Dashopanishads, and various Shastric disciplines.

As the 71st head of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Sharma Dravid will guide one of India’s most prestigious Advaita Vedanta centers, located near the revered Kamakshi Amman Temple in Kanchipuram. The mutt is recognized for its role in Vedic education, manuscript preservation, spiritual discourse, and social welfare initiatives.

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On 19 January 2025, Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, the pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, emphasized the importance of unity within the Brahmin community for both personal and collective progress. He highlighted the significant role Brahmins have played in preserving and promoting Vedic religion and culture.

Speaking to an audience of over 3,000 at the Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasabha event held at Palace Grounds on 19 January 2025, the pontiff noted the economic struggles faced by Brahmins and their diminishing influence in promoting dharma since India’s independence. He called for unity within the community to foster both social and spiritual growth, emphasizing that the strength of Brahmanism is crucial to the stability of Vedic religion.

Brahmins must ensure the continuity of vital religious practices such as sandhya vandana, Gayatri worship, agni puja, hospitality, and home-cooked meals, without outsourcing these rituals, as they are central to the vitality of Sanatana Dharma. These practices should remain an integral part of daily life. Additionally, Brahmins should stay rooted in India, where their contributions are crucial to preserving the nation’s spiritual and cultural legacy. They should prioritize supporting Vedic education and contributing to national progress, including by sponsoring students’ studies in Vedic traditions.

Another important suggestion is the creation of ‘agraharas’ or gated communities, where 50-100 Brahmin families can live together in cooperation, fostering a strong, organized society focused on culture, education, and science while adhering to the Vedic path.

The Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham pontiff said the Brahmin community should also work to counter negative portrayals in media and films by increasing their presence in arts, music, and cinema, ensuring that their contributions to society are dignified. Furthermore, maintaining strong ties with rural communities is essential, especially by serving as teachers and leaders, as their presence in villages provides valuable guidance and leadership.

To preserve cultural heritage, Brahmins must maintain thorough records of their Gotras in every household and temple, while also upholding high standards in dress, behavior, and temple management to safeguard dharma. Lastly, Brahmins should aim to increase their presence in administrative circles, as they historically held significant roles in Indian palaces across regions. Their influence has diminished due to unfavorable policies and propaganda, but regaining a prominent position is vital for protecting and promoting dharma for future generations.

(With Inputs From TOI)

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