Sri. Paravur Sreedharan Tantri was awarded the Amrita Keerti Puraskar {news} on 27th September, the birthday of Amma, for his meritorious contributions and perpetuation of India’s Kshetra Tantric and astrological traditions.
Sri. M.V. Rajasekharan, the Honourable Union Minister of State for Planning, handed over the award to Paravur Sreedharan Tantri.
Sreedharan Tantri is the founder and chairman of Sri Narayana Tantrika Research Vidyalayam, a charitable institute in North Paravur, Ernakulam District that trains children, irrespective of caste and creed, in Kshetra Tantra Vidya. The institution also trains adults and conducts periodic reference courses for those already in the field, as well as conducts research and analysis into special ingredients and materials used as offerings in homas and kalasas. Furthermore, he is being honoured for his role as social reformer, standing as one of the main forces behind the opening of Hindu priesthood to all sections of society.
He is the author of an important book on Kshetra Tantra called Deva Yajana Paddhati. He is also the author of Pitru Dharma Vidhi, a book on rites performed for deceased ancestors, as well as many articles on Tantra and astrology.
Sreedharan Tantri studied under the ancient gurukula system of education, guided by Sri. Pazhampilly Kandachan Asan and Sri. Sankaran Bhattathirippadu (Pazhur Padippura) and Nambiat Karnakara Pillai.