Tirupati: Mohit Pandey, currently pursuing his MA (Acharya) course in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams-run (TTD) Sri Venkateswara Vedic University (SVVU) in Tirupati, has been chosen as one of 50 priests for the Ayodhya Ram Mandir.
A native of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, Pandey was selected after an exhaustive process that involved interviews with around 3,000 candidates from across India. He is currently undergoing a six-month training period before his appointment.
Mohit Pandey is an alumnus of Dudheshwar Ved Vidyapeeth in Ghaziabad of Uttar Pradesh. He spent seven years, from Class 6 to Class 12, at the institution established on the premises of the ancient Shri Dudheshwarnath Temple, which is a major temple in north India, drawing devotees from around the world daily.
“Over the past 23 years, thousands of students have been educated in Vedas and rituals at the Ved Vidyapeeth. Around 70 students are currently undergoing training to serve as priests and ‘acharyas’ in various temples. Pandey has been chosen to serve Lord Ram in Ayodhya through the blessings of Lord Dudheshwarnath,” said Peethadhishwar Mahant Narayan Giri, the head of Dudheshwar Ved Vidyapeeth.
After completing his education at the Dudheshwar Ved Vidyapeeth, Mohit Pandey pursued further studies at SVVU in Tirupati, joining the BA (Sastri) course in 2020-21. After graduating with first-class honours, he enrolled in the MA (Acharya) course earlier this year and is currently focusing on his first-year studies in the Sama Veda department.
Prof. Rani Sadasiva Murthy, vice chancellor of SVVU, expressed pride at Pandey’s selection, commending his dedication, soft-spoken nature and commitment to his studies. He said several students from the university are serving as priests and ‘acharyas’ in various temples across the country.
Another SVVU official said, “Pandey has been selected as ‘acharya’ in the Sama Veda wing, specifically for the Ayodhya temple. After the selection, 15 days ago, he commenced a six-month training programme in Ayodhya.”
