Raani Maharaj,

Pandit

About Pandit Shrinath Pathak 'Rani Maharaj'

Pandit Shrinath Pathak 'Rani Maharaj' is a widely revered ritual scholar and a luminary of Kashi, highly respected among Vedic scholars across the country for his unparalleled expertise. He is the guiding force and head of all poojas, and rituals conducted by Vidhi Vidhanya.

Expertise and Legacy

Born into a family of scholars, Pandit 'Rani Maharaj' began his Vedic education at the age of six and mastered complex Vedic rituals by age 13.

He is distinguished by his mastery of rare and challenging rituals, notably:

• Dehri Nyasa: He is currently the only scholar in Kashi known to perform the complete Dehri Nyasa ritual (purification of the home).
• Tripindi Shraddha: In 1947, as a teenager, he organized the first Tripindi Shraddha for refugee families from Pakistan, marking the beginning of a 66-year dedication to the Shraddha tradition.
• National Service: He gained national recognition for performing the Tripindi Shraddha for the peace of the souls of Kashmiri Hindu victims of terrorism, refusing any dakshina (donation), citing the work as a "national duty."

His work has a profound impact: over a thousand students he has trained are now performing Shraddha rituals across India and abroad, ensuring the vanishing tradition continues. He remains the first point of consultation for ritualistic dilemmas among Kashi's leading scholars.

International Recognition and Character

Key Recognitions