Kuppa Venkatesh Prasad (in pic) has been appointed successor to Sringeri Sharada Peeta seer Bharathiteertha Swami. The announcement was made at guruvandana programme held in Sringeri on Sunday.

Venkatesh Prasad, 25, hails from Guntur of Andhra Pradesh. “My guru had announced a junior seer when he was 57 years old in 1974. I am announcing my successor when I am 64 years old. The shishya sweekara programme will be held on January 22 and 23,” said Bharathiteertha Swami.

Prasad has been learning the shastras for the last five to six years. He has learnt yoga in Tirupati and Sringeri.