About Raghu and Akhila Ranganathan

Sri Raghu Ranganathan and Smt Akhila Ranganathan

Raghu Ranganathan (Swabhavananda Natha) and Akhila Ranganathan (Kameshwaryamba) are  senior disciples of His Holiness Sri Sri Vimarshananda Nathendra Saraswati Swamigal, the founder of Bhaskara Prakasha Ashram. Raghu is also the poorva-ashrama grand son of Sri Vimarshananda Nathendra Saraswati Swamigal and son of Sri K.R. Yegnarathnam.

Raghu is leading the Bhaskara Prakasha Ashram (BPA) activities outside India and is the President of BPA in USA and Canada.

Raghu started his training in vedas in gurukul style by his guru and grand father at the age of seven. He was initiated into Sri Vidya and accompanied his Guru in performing more than 500 Chandi homams, Srividya homams and Srividya Navavarna pujas. Raghu's first independent Satha Chandi homam was performed at Sri Kamakshi temple in New Delhi in 1988 at the age of 23. 

Raghu and Akhila have initiated and taught Devi Mahatmyam, traditional Vedic chanting and Sri Vidya Tantra worship to many devotees in Kenya, Singapore, UAE, USA and Canada since 1996. They have travelled widely in the USA and Canada performing various Pujas and Homas including Shata Chandi Homams, Sahasrachandi Homam, Ati Rudram and Sri Vidya Navavarna Homams.

In addition to their passion of teaching Vedas, Agamas and Tantras to sincere devotees, Raghu and Akhila, striving for continuous improvements, are continuing to learn the ocean of knowledge available in our scriptures. They prefer to be called Shishyas because they are mentored, taught and provided insights into the performance of Pujas and Homas by Sri Gnanananda Tirtha Swamigal, Sri K. R. Yegnarathnam, and Sri R. Ramakrishnan.

In 1996, with the divine grace of their Guru and Goddess, performed the first Chandi Homam in Sri Rajarajeswari Peetam in Rush, Rochester, NY.

They have also led and performed religious activities for several other religious organizations such as: 

  • Sri Balaji temple and Sri Ayyappa temple in Nairobi, Kenya

  • Sringeri Vidya Bharati Foundation, Toronto, Canada

  • Kanchi Kamakoti Seva Trust, Toronto, Canada

  • Maha Rudram in 2013 organized by Ganesh Yag Parivar with Sri Vidyout Joshi - Hindu Heritage Centre, Mississauga, Canada

  • Ashtottara Suvasini Puja for Nandalala devotees of Smt. Mathi Oli Saraswathi (Sri Amma)

  • Sahasra Suvasini Puja organized by Sathguru Gnanananda Seva Samajam at Chantilly, Virginia, USA

Raghu and Akhila are fortunate to have recited in the Lalitha Sahasranama Parayana Krama audio publication under the directions of their Guru. Raghu has also produced and chanted in the following audio publications:

- Upanishad (Taitreeya Upanishad, Ganapathi Upanishad, Devi Upanishad, Bhavanopanishad, Tripuropanishad and Kaulopanishad)

- Sadyojata Vidhana Rudra Puja, Sri Rudram and Chamakam (Chanted and recorded along with 7 of his students between the age of 7 and 14 in Nairobi, Kenya)

Sri Raghu Ranganathan performing Pada Puja at Bhaskara Prakasha Ashram

- Guru puja (Sundari Garbhita Purusha Suktam, Sri Suktam and Bhavanopanishad Prayoga Vidhi)

- Complete Devi Mahatmyam recitation

Raghu and Akhila Ranganathan can be reached via this contact form.