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The Journey
Dr. Ghosh’s journey spans over three decades of faith, study and practice. What began in childhood—conducting pujas and being steeped in culture, spirituality and religion—grew into a lifelong pursuit. From advanced studies at Oxford and Chicago to his current role as Dean of Dharma Studies, each step has shaped his mission to bring ancient wisdom into everyday life.
Roots
Raised in a Vaishnava household and educated at a local Catholic school in Kolkata, young Abhishek grew up with an appreciation for different expressions of faith.
From about eight years old, he would, without prompting, gather neighbourhood children—moulding clay figures, arranging flowers and lighting candles to fashion makeshift altars.
Those informal rituals became a space of shared reverence and early learning.
That spontaneous devotion and his gift for bringing people together planted the seeds for a lifetime spent turning spiritual practice into everyday teaching and service.
Conducting a Puja for Ma Saraswati, the Goddess of education and wisdom
Conducting a Puja for Ma Saraswati, the Goddess of education and wisdom
Higher Education at Oxford University, UK
He left Kolkata to study for an M.St. in Theology at Oxford University, becoming the first Indian to join the university’s course on Hinduism. He combined philology, hermeneutics and comparative study to learn more about the development and transformation of Vaishnavism - the biggest denomination of Hinduism - in the colonial and postcolonial period in India.
Research at the University of Chicago, USA
Abhishek completed an M.A. and Ph.D. in South Asian Languages and Civilizations at the University of Chicago. His dissertation, Vaishnavism and the West, examined how Vaishnava traditions engage with modern global contexts. While teaching South Asian ethics and philosophy at the Graham School, he received the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching for courses that made Hindu thought accessible to wider, non-specialist audiences.
Conducting a Puja for Ma Saraswati, the Goddess of education and wisdom
Conducting a Puja for Ma Saraswati, the Goddess of education and wisdom
Scholarship
He has taught religion and philosophy for nearly a decade at several institutions in the US, designing and delivering courses in religion, philosophy and ethics. He also taught at local yoga studios, unpacking foundational texts and the historical and cultural contexts behind modern practice. By prioritizing dialogical learning and close mentorship, he helped develop a generation of scholars and practitioners who bridge academic study and lived practice.
Translating Tradition into Practice
Today, as Dean of the Faculty of Dharma Studies at Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Dr. Ghosh directs academic programs that connect classical study with contemporary questions of ethics, culture and wellbeing. A recognised scholar, he has been invited to speak at venues including the UN India Mission and the World Religions Forum in Kazakhstan. He also advises corporate and policy leaders and mentors innovators at the CEID business incubator in the US, helping organisations translate insights from Dharmic texts into practical approaches for decision-making, culture and personal resilience.
Conducting a Puja for Ma Saraswati, the Goddess of education and wisdom
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