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11 Feb 2026


Teen scholar revives 200 year-old vedic chant

Devavrat Mahesh Rekhe completes 50-day Dandakrama Parayanam comprising of 2,000 mantras from the Shukla Yajurveda

At just 19, Vedamurti Devavrat Mahesh Rekhe from Kashi (Varanasi) has made history by completing one of the most complex Vedic rituals,  the Dandakrama Parayanam,  in a remarkable 50 days. This ancient practice, which involves the continuous recital of nearly 2,000 mantras from the Shukla Yajurveda, had not been performed in its classical form for nearly 200 years.

Starting on October 2, 2025, Devavrat undertook the rigorous chanting at the Vallabharam Shaligram Sangved Vidyalaya. Every day, for hours on end, he recited the mantras flawlessly, without referencing any written text. The precision required correct pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation that usually demands years of dedicated training. But Devavrat approached it with focus, discipline, and devotion, earning admiration from scholars and religious leaders alike.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally congratulated Devavrat, praising his extraordinary commitment and saying that his achievement will be remembered for generations. The Sringeri Sharada Peetham honoured him with a gold bracelet worth ₹5 lakh and a cash gift of ₹1,11,116, symbolising both recognition and blessings for his accomplishment.

For Devavrat, this was not just a personal achievement but a revival of a nearly forgotten tradition. The Dandakrama Parayanam is considered one of the most demanding forms of Vedic recitation, requiring mastery over memory, breath control, and phonetics. His completion of this ritual demonstrates that ancient traditions can still thrive when young scholars commit themselves fully, blending devotion, discipline, and love for their cultural heritage.

His journey serves as an inspiring reminder that age is no barrier to preserving history. In an era of modern distractions, Devavrat’s unwavering focus on a centuries-old spiritual practice showcases the power of dedication and the timeless relevance of Vedic knowledge. By reviving this classical chanting ritual, he has ensured that future generations will have a living link to India’s rich spiritual heritage.

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