The Sri Sri Sachhidananda Shankara Bharati Fellowship (SSSSBF) is named after Sri Sri Sachhidananda Shankara Bharati Mahaswamiji, the 68th Shankaracharya of Kudali Sringeri Maha Samsthan, Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peeth, Kudali. As Shankaracharya, he travelled extensively across South India and as far as Gwalior in Central India, reviving numerous traditions and institutions. He authored books, composed Sanskrit poetry, commissioned multiple research projects, and played a key role in establishing the Oriental Research Institute of Mysore in 1943.
His translation of Chanakya’s ‘Artha Shastra’ into Kannada marked the first time the work was rendered into a regional language. He worked extensively to collect the missing and unpublished ‘Artha Shastra’ manuscripts, teaching them to many politicians and scholars including the President of India Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and the Maharaja of Mysore. This fellowship aims to support significant research in areas of historical and cultural importance.
We are pleased to announce that Ms. Pratishtha Mukherjee is a proud recipient of the Sri Sri Sachhidananda Shankara Bharti Fellowship. Ms. Mukherjee’s research proposal, titled “Indian Temples as Custodians of Bharatiya Culture,” will explore temples’ deep-rooted cultural and spiritual significance in preserving India’s rich heritage.
Batch 1 (2024-25)
Pratishtha Mukherjee
Pratishtha Mukherjee
Dr. Pratishtha Mukherjee is a dedicated archaeologist and heritage scholar specialising in ancient Indian sculpture, iconography, and temple architecture. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor at Rishihood University, where she combines academic teaching with active research and fieldwork.
Dr. Mukherjee holds a PhD in Archaeology and Ancient History from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. Her doctoral research examined the sculptural traditions of Yakṣa figures in North India, with a special focus on the Ganga Valley. She also holds a gold-medal Master’s degree in Archaeology and Heritage Management from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University.
Her research career spans roles at the Archaeological Survey of India, National Museum, INTACH, and MSU Baroda, as well as international mentorships with Save Ancient Studies Alliance (USA). Dr. Mukherjee has published in journals like KALA, Heritage Journal, and the Sri Lanka International Journal of Buddhist Studies.
She is currently a Junior Fellow at the Sir Jadunath Sarkar Fellowship for Indian History (2024–Present) and was earlier awarded the IKS Research Grant (2022) in recognition of her commitment to Indigenous Knowledge Systems.