Chaganti Koteswara Rao

In this article, the surname is Chaganti.

Chaganti Koteswara Rao
ChagaKoteswara Rao in August 2015
Personal
Born	Chaganti Raja Veera Venkata Basava Koteswara Rao (1959-07-14) 14 July 1959
Religion	Sanatana Dharma
Spouse	C. Subrahmanyeswaryi
Parents	Chaganti Sundara Siva Rao (father) Chaganti Suseelamma (mother)
Philosophy	Advaita Vedanta
Senior posting
Website	sriguruvaani.net
Honors	Saradaa Gnana Putra, Pravachana Chakravarti

Chaganti Koteswara Rao (born 14 July 1959) is an Indian orator and scholar, known for his discourses on Sanatana Dharma.<ref>"Discourses on 'Sivaanandalahari' from Nov. 22". The Hindu. 20 November 2009. Archived from the original on 24 November 2009.</ref><ref>"Brahmasri Chaganti Koteswara Rao". srichaganti.net.</ref> His teachings are widely known among the Telugu community worldwide and are regularly broadcast on channels such as Bhakti TV and SVBC.<ref>Staff Reporter (7 April 2014). "Set aside time for spiritual growth". The Hindu.</ref> Known for his knowledge and engaging style, he has earned titles like Pravachana Chakravarti (Emperor of Discourses) and Sarada Gnana Putra (Son of the Goddess of Knowledge).<ref name="The New Indian Express">"Changanti, TS Reddy to be felicitated at Vijayawada". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 19 March 2018.</ref>

In 2016, Koteswara Rao was appointed as the cultural advisor to the Government of Andhra Pradesh and served as one of the ten ambassadors for the Swachh Andhra Corporation.<ref name="Sindhu among 10 brand ambassadors of Swachha Andhra Corp.">"Sindhu among 10 brand ambassadors of Swachha Andhra Corp". The Hindu. 16 May 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2018.</ref> He has also contributed to various state government initiatives related to culture and public awareness.

Early and personal life

Chaganti Koteswara Rao was born on 14 July 1959 to the couple Chaganti Sundara Siva Rao and Chaganti Suseelamma in Eluru, 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.<ref name="Eenadu article">"ధర్మబద్ధ జీవనమే అతి పెద్ద పూజ". www.eenadu.net. Hyderabad. Archived from the original on 10 February 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2019.</ref>

Chaganti Koteswara Rao with his wife

He is married to Subrahmanyeswari. His wife is a state government employee in Agricultural department.<ref name="Chaganti, right choice as Cultural Advisor Adapa Apparao" /><ref name="Chaganti video about his remuneration">"Facts about Sri Chaganti Koteswara Rao Garu". Youtube. 15 March 2014. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2018.</ref> He worked for Food Corporation of India in Kakinada and retired as of August 2018.<ref name="english.srichaganti.net">"Brahmasri Chaganti Koteswara Rao". english.srichaganti.net. Retrieved 15 March 2018.</ref><ref name="Chaganti, right choice as Cultural Advisor Adapa Apparao">"'Chaganti, right choice as Cultural Advisor' Adapa Apparao". The Hans India. 11 April 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2018.</ref> He has two children Shanmukha Charan, and Nagavalli. Both are engineering graduates.<ref name="english.srichaganti.net" />

Religious discourses

Chaganti Koteswara Rao regularly gives religious discourses on various Hindu epics like Bhagavata, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and various Puranas.<ref name="Bramhasri Chaganti Koteswar Rao delivers spiritual discourse at Rail Kalarang">"Bramhasri Chaganti Koteswar Rao delivers spiritual discourse at Rail Kalarang". The Hans India. 15 October 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2018.</ref> These are broadcast on various radio and TV channels. Some devotional TV channels set aside special slots for airing his discourses.<ref name="Chaganti, right choice as Cultural Advisor Adapa Apparao"/> He does not accept any remuneration for delivering a discourse except his traveling expenses.<ref name="Chaganti video about his remuneration"/>

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.<ref name="Chaganti, right choice as Cultural Advisor Adapa Apparao"/>

Discourses about Films

He also delivered spiritual discourses based on musical films Sankarabharanam (1980) and Srutilayalu (1987).<ref name="Kavirayani">Kavirayani, Suresh (4 October 2018). "Sri Chaganti Koteswara Rao's second filmy discourse". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 6 February 2019.</ref>

Positions

Chaganti was appointed as cultural adviser for the Government of Andhra Pradesh in 2016.<ref name="Chaganti Koteswara Rao appointed government cultural adviser">Staff Reporter (9 April 2016). "Chaganti Koteswara Rao appointed government cultural adviser". The Hindu. Retrieved 15 March 2018.</ref> He was also one of the 10 ambassadors Swacch Andhra Corporation.<ref name="Sindhu among 10 brand ambassadors of Swachha Andhra Corp."/> Chaganti Koteswara Rao was appointed Adviser (Students, Ethics and Values) for the government of Andhra Pradesh in 2024.<ref name="Andhra Pradesh government releases list of 62 persons nominated to various corporations">The Hindu (9 November 2024). "Andhra Pradesh government releases list of 62 persons nominated to various corporations". Archived from the original on 10 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.</ref>

Awards and honours

• Honour by Ramineni Foundation, USA in 2015.<ref name="Ramineni Foundation to honour teachers, students">Staff Reporter (17 October 2015). "Ramineni Foundation to honour teachers, students". The Hindu. Retrieved 19 March 2018.</ref>
• Dr Pinnamaneni and Seeta Devi foundation award (2016)<ref name="Prajasakti news story">"బ్రహ్మశ్రీ చాగంటి కోటేశ్వరరావు, ఫొటోగ్రాఫర్‌ శ్రీనివాసరెడ్డిలకు డాక్టర్‌ పిన్నమనేని అండ్‌ సీతాదేవి ఫౌండేషన్‌ అవార్డు ప్రదానం". Prajasakti. Retrieved 17 March 2018.</ref>

Controversies

On 5 March 2016, devotees of Shirdi Sai Baba 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, the protest was withdrawn.<ref name="Shirdi Sai Controversy">"Shirdi Sai devotees protest". The Hindu. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2019.</ref>

He also faced protests from All India Yadava Mahasabha because of his remarks on Lord Krishna.<ref name="Yadava Controversy">"Complaint Against Spiritual speaker Chaganti Koteswara Rao for 'derogatory' comment on Lord Krishna". www.thenewsminute.com. 17 January 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2019.</ref> Later, the representatives of the community went to his residence. He clarified that he held respect for their community and did not intend to hurt any community.<ref name="Yadava controversy explanation">"యాదవులను కౌగిలించుకుంటా: చాగంటి కోటేశ్వరరావు". www.andhrajyothy.com (in తెలుగు). 21 January 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2019.</ref>