His Holiness, Courtallam Sankaracharya, Jagadguru, Sri Sri Sri Siddheswarananda Bharathi Mahaswami, is the present Chief Pontiff of the ancient Aadishankaracharya traditional peetam, Sri Siddheswari Peetam (Mouna Swami Mutt) in Courtallam (which is most famous for its medicinal waterfalls), Tamil Nadu and is the founder of Sri Sakthi Peetham, Tirupathi with the mission ‘Naree Eva Narayanee’.
His Holiness is one of the eldest Shankaracharyas belongs to a highly esteemed line of Sankaracharya lineage. His ardent followers, disciples and devotees across the globe revere him as the “Walking God”. Many Dhayana yogis, Avadhuthas revealed that a great Siddha from Siddhasramam descended as Sri Swamiji on divine’s plan for virtuous deeds and to protect Sanatana Hindu dharma and mankind from evil forces. Hence he is popularly known as “Mahimaanvitha Yogi” (The Mystic Seer of Courtallam).
Early life and background
Paramahamsa, Parivraajakaacharya, Jagadguru Sri Sri Siddheswarananda Bharathi swami, also well known as Dr. Prasada Raya Kulapathi was born as Venkata Lakshmi Vara Prasad Rao on January 23rd 1937 in the Elchur village ( 22km from Narsaraopet), Prakasam District, in the state of Andhra Pradesh in south India. His mother was Smt. Swarajya Lakshmi and father, Sri Potharaju Purushotthama Rao was a celebrated poet. Dr. Kulapathi’s great grandfather Sri Rama Kavi was the guru to the exemplary Kopparapu poets.
Sri Swamiji inherited wrestling and his astute poetic talents from his grandfather. In his growing up years, Dr.Kulapathi had a robust physique and had served as a referee at the Indian wrestling championship. As the Head of the Telugu Department, He won the hearts and respect of the committee members, staff and the students of the Hindu College, Guntur and proved his able administrative capabilities during his tenure as the principal of the college.
Literary accomplishments
He was a great orator and made immense contributions in enhancing the glory of Telugu literature as Avadhani, Aasukavi. He organized literary dramas like Bhuvanavijayam in India and overseas. He was honored with many distinguished literary titles such as ‘Avadhana Saraswathi’, ‘Sahithi Sarvabhauma’, ‘Saraswatahi Kantaabharana’, ‘Rupaka Samrat’, ‘Kavitha Sudhakara’ by different literary societies. He contributed several poetic works like Siva Sahasri, Ambica Sahasri, and many more. He has to his credit, many acclaimed literary works under the title ‘Sri Kulapathi Saahithi’ like Kavi Brahma, Kavya Kanta, and dramas like Ramani
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