Chaganti Koteswara Rao

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]

This is a Telugu name; the family name is Chaganti.
Chaganti Raja Veera Venkata Basava Koteswara Rao
Chaganti Koteswara Rao in August 2015
Personal
Born
Chaganti Koteswara Rao

(1959-07-14) 14 July 1959
ReligionSanatan Dharma
SpouseC. Subrahmanyeswaryi
ChildrenC. Shanmukha Charan, C. Naga Srivalli
Parents
  • Chaganti Sundara Siva Rao (father)
  • Chaganti Suseelamma (mother)
PhilosophyAdvaita Vedanta
Websitesriguruvaani.net
HonorsSaradaa Jnana Puttra, Pravachana Chakravarti
QuoteBhava Sankara Desika Me Saranam (భవ శంకర దేశికమే శరణం)

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
Chaganti Koteswara Rao with his wife

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

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
  1. "Discourses on 'Sivaanandalahari' from Nov. 22". The Hindu. 2009-11-20. Archived from the original on 2009-11-24.
  2. "Brahmasri Chaganti Koteswara Rao". srichaganti.net.
  3. Staff Reporter (2014-04-07). "Set aside time for spiritual growth". The Hindu.
  4. Staff Reporter (9 April 2016). "Chaganti Koteswara Rao appointed government cultural adviser". The Hindu. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  5. "Sindhu among 10 brand ambassadors of Swachha Andhra Corp". The Hindu. 16 May 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  6. "Changanti, TS Reddy to be felicitated at Vijayawada". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  7. "ధర్మబద్ధ జీవనమే అతి పెద్ద పూజ". www.eenadu.net. Hyderabad. Archived from the original on 10 February 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  8. "Brahmasri Chaganti Koteswara Rao". english.srichaganti.net. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  9. "'Chaganti, right choice as Cultural Advisor' Adapa Apparao". The Hans India. 2016-04-11. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  10. "Facts about Sri Chaganti Koteswara Rao Garu". Youtube. 15 March 2014. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  11. "Bramhasri Chaganti Koteswar Rao delivers spiritual discourse at Rail Kalarang". The Hans India. 2017-10-15. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  12. Kavirayani, Suresh (4 October 2018). "Sri Chaganti Koteswara Rao's second filmy discourse". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  13. Staff Reporter (17 October 2015). "Ramineni Foundation to honour teachers, students". The Hindu. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  14. "బ్రహ్మశ్రీ చాగంటి కోటేశ్వరరావు, ఫొటోగ్రాఫర్‌ శ్రీనివాసరెడ్డిలకు డాక్టర్‌ పిన్నమనేని అండ్‌ సీతాదేవి ఫౌండేషన్‌ అవార్డు ప్రదానం". Prajasakti. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  15. "Shirdi Sai devotees protest". The Hindu. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  16. "Complaint Against Spiritual speaker Chaganti Koteswara Rao for 'derogatory' comment on Lord Krishna". www.thenewsminute.com. 17 January 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  17. "యాదవులను కౌగిలించుకుంటా: చాగంటి కోటేశ్వరరావు". www.andhrajyothy.com (in Telugu). 21 January 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
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