Dr. Aswanidev Tanthri
Tantri · PhD in Sanskrit · 5 World Records · UN Peace Ambassador Nominee
Dr. Aswanidev Tanthri was born in 1986 at Vattekkad, Kodakara, Thrissur, Kerala — into an ancient hereditary lineage of temple priests that stretches back generations. From childhood, he was immersed in the sacred sciences of Vedic ritual, Sanskrit, and temple tantra, receiving his training directly from the masters of the Kerala tantric tradition.
He holds a PhD in Sanskrit, with his doctoral research focused on the Srimad Bhagavatha Purana — one of the most profound texts of Sanatana Dharma. This rare combination of academic scholarship and living ritual practice makes him one of the most complete Vedic authorities of his generation.
As the Tantri (Chief Priest) of over 60 temples across India and abroad, and as the Chairman of the Thapovanam Siva Temple Trust and Chief Priest of the Akhila Bharathiya Yagna Samithi, Dr. Aswanidev has personally trained over 1,000 tantris and Vedic scholars — ensuring that this ancient knowledge is passed on intact to the next generation.
In 2023, he organised the World Record Maha Athirudram — the largest simultaneous Vedic recitation in history — earning recognition in the Asia, India, Vietnam, Nepal, and Indonesia Book of Records. In 2024 he set a World Record in Sanskrit Speech at Bangalore. In 2025, he was nominated as a United Nations Peace Ambassador, a recognition of his vision: to make the transformative power of Vedic knowledge a gift to all humanity.
His greatest ongoing project — the Sri Dakshinamurthy Vidyapeeth Spiritual University in Thrissur — will house the world's largest Shivalinga at 144 feet, five sacred floors of learning and worship, and become a living beacon of Sanatana Dharma for the world.
Credentials & Achievements
- Born 1986, Vattekkad, Kodakara, Thrissur, Kerala — hereditary Kerala tantric lineage
- PhD in Sanskrit — doctoral research on the Srimad Bhagavatha Purana
- Tantri (Chief Priest) of 60+ temples across India and abroad
- Chairman — Thapovanam Siva Temple Trust
- Chief Priest — Akhila Bharathiya Yagna Samithi
- World Record Maha Athirudram 2023 — organised 1331 Vedic priests simultaneously (Asia, India, Vietnam, Nepal, Indonesia Book of Records)
- World Record in Sanskrit Speech — Bangalore, 2024
- Nominated as United Nations Peace Ambassador — 2025
- Personally trained over 1,000 tantris and Vedic scholars
- Conducted large-scale Yaagams across India including the Lakshmi Kubera Maha Yagam, Avadi, Tamil Nadu (Nov–Dec 2025)
- Founder — Sri Dakshinamurthy Vidyapeeth Spiritual University, Thrissur (home of the world's largest Shivalinga, 144 ft)