Chaganti Koteswara Rao
Chaganti Raja Veera Venkata Basava Koteswara Rao | |
|---|---|
 Chaganti Koteswara Rao in August 2015 | |
| Personal | |
| Born | Chaganti Koteswara Rao 14 July 1959 |
| Religion | Sanatan Dharma |
| Spouse | C. Subrahmanyeswaryi |
| Children | C. Shanmukha Charan, C. Naga Srivalli |
| Parents |
|
| Organization | |
| 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]
Early life
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]
Family
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]
Religious discourses
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]
Discourses about Films
He also delivered spiritual discourses based on musical films Sankarabharanam (1980) and Shrutilayalu (1987).[12]
Positions
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]
Awards and honours
- Honour by Ramineni Foundation, USA in 2015.[13]
- Dr Pinnamaneni and Seeta Devi foundation award (2016)[14]
Controversies
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]
References
- ^ "Discourses on 'Sivaanandalahari' from Nov. 22". The Hindu. 2009-11-20. Archived from the original on 2009-11-24.
- ^ "Brahmasri Chaganti Koteswara Rao". srichaganti.net.
- ^ Staff Reporter (2014-04-07). "Set aside time for spiritual growth". The Hindu.
- ^ a b Staff Reporter (9 April 2016). "Chaganti Koteswara Rao appointed government cultural adviser". The Hindu. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
- ^ a b "Sindhu among 10 brand ambassadors of Swachha Andhra Corp". The Hindu. 16 May 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
- ^ "Changanti, TS Reddy to be felicitated at Vijayawada". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
- ^ "ధర్మబద్ధ జీవనమే అతి పెద్ద పూజ". www.eenadu.net. Hyderabad. Archived from the original on 10 February 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
- ^ a b "Brahmasri Chaganti Koteswara Rao". english.srichaganti.net. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
- ^ a b c d "'Chaganti, right choice as Cultural Advisor' Adapa Apparao". The Hans India. 2016-04-11. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
- ^ a b "Facts about Sri Chaganti Koteswara Rao Garu". Youtube. 15 March 2014. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ "Bramhasri Chaganti Koteswar Rao delivers spiritual discourse at Rail Kalarang". The Hans India. 2017-10-15. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
- ^ Kavirayani, Suresh (4 October 2018). "Sri Chaganti Koteswara Rao's second filmy discourse". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
- ^ Staff Reporter (17 October 2015). "Ramineni Foundation to honour teachers, students". The Hindu. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
- ^ "బ్రహ్మశ్రీ చాగంటి కోటేశ్వరరావు, ఫొటోగ్రాఫర్ శ్రీనివాసరెడ్డిలకు డాక్టర్ పిన్నమనేని అండ్ సీతాదేవి ఫౌండేషన్ అవార్డు ప్రదానం". Prajasakti. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ "Shirdi Sai devotees protest". The Hindu. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
- ^ "Complaint Against Spiritual speaker Chaganti Koteswara Rao for 'derogatory' comment on Lord Krishna". www.thenewsminute.com. 17 January 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
- ^ "యాదవులను కౌగిలించుకుంటా: చాగంటి కోటేశ్వరరావు". www.andhrajyothy.com (in Telugu). 21 January 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2019.