Shambhavi's Photo Journal

A record of trips and programs by Shambhavi Chopra and David Frawley (Vamadeva)

Vamadeva and Shambhavi at the Tiruvanamalai shiva temple

Mystical moments with K.Natesanji,the oldest living disciple of Ramana Maharsi and Kavyakantha Ganapati  Muni

Vamadeva and Shambhavi teaching at the International yoga festival in Rishikesh

Shambhavi teaching at the Yoga festival in Rishikesh on the benevolent power of the Devi

Evening arati by Ma Ganga at Parmarth Niketan Ashram

Surrounded by the students and teachers of Shantikunj at Rishikesh

A sacred fire ceremony at Ananda in the Himalayas with Maurizio and Marcia from Brazil.

Vamadeva and Shambhavi making offerings into the sacred fire in the Himalayas

Offering prayers at our Ma Ganga Inner Tantric Yoga Retreat in the Himalayas in March

Shambhavi teaching sadhaks from around the world in the sacred traditions of Shakti

Vamadeva and Shambhavi teaching in the ancient Gurukul tradition under a Lychee tree

  Glowing tribute to Ma Ganga during an evening Arati

Sadhaks from India,USA,Brazil,Europe and Turkey celebrate by the flowing grace of Ma Ganga

Celebrating the auspicious festival of Holi with colours

After the Retreat we had family and friends from around the world along with our Boxer 'Yogi' celebrating our happiness

Basking in the glory of Ma Ganga

Beautiful women in a mode of celebration!

Vamadeva and Shambhavi with Swami Dayananda Saraswatiji

Shambhavi addressing students at Shantikunj in Haridwar

Vamadeva and Shambhavi with Swami Ramdevji at Patanjali Yogpeeth in Haridwar

View of the Himalayan snow peaks from Binsar in the Himalayas

Chatai temple in Almora where the Goddess offers justice to all Her devotees. Injustices are written out on paper and offered to the Goddess.On receiving justice the devotee returns to tie a metal bell

Drawing the attention of the Mother Goddess with ringing of temple bells!

Shambhavi with sadhak Kanika and local village women at Dunagiri temple in Uttarakhand

Tolling the bells at Dunagiri

Shambhavi viewing the sacred flags tied to trees along the 365 stairs to Dunagiri temple

Shambhavi with Sindhu Gangola from Binsar taking in the sunset

Shambhavi at Jageshwar temples in the Himalayas

Shambhavi offering prayers at the Mahamrityunjaya temple in Jageshwar

Shambhavi with sadhaks at a havan 'fire ritual' at the Jageshwar temple

Offering prayers and mantras during a sacred puja

Shambhavi making sacred offerings into the fire at Mahamrityunjaya temple

Alerting the Mother Goddess before entering the sanctum sanctorum

Shambhavi applying thesacred kumkum tilak, the auspicious mark of every Shakti worshipper

Descending the steps througha narrow crevice of two powerful rocks at the Goddess temple

The temple has a traditionof playing with rocks amongst the spiritual aspirants. For protection theyshield themselves with huge bamboo woven umbrellas

With some of the localchildren from the village

Colorful picture of theRanikhet market with garlands and wedding stoles

Shambhavi with Kathak GuruMaya Rao and Madhu Natraj in Bangalore

Shambhavi addressing sadhaksin Bangalore at Guru Maya Rao's school

Shambhavi with Malaysiandancer Shiva and.......in Bangalore

Shambhavi at her CDrecording of Devi mantras with Praveenji,Madhu Natraj Kanika

Vamadeva with local sadhu atthe Shiva temple in Binsar at 8000 ft in the Himalayas

Vamadeva at the Dandeswartemple in Jageshwar

Shambhavi at the Hindu Monastery in Kauai collecting  auspicious Rudraksha beads and fruit, the blessings of Shiva Maheshvara.

Vamadeva and Shambhavi with Pujya Paramacharaya Palaniswami  at the Hindu Monastery in Kauai

Shambhavi teaching Vedic Astrology Uppayas (remedial measures) and the power of the Goddess at the  Seven-Day Healing Intensive, Ayurvedic Astrology Healing Retreat with the American Council of Vedic Astrology in Kauai, Hawaii.

With a group of some of the sadhaks and Acharayas (teachers) at the Hawaii retreat in June 2010

  Vamadeva and Shambhavi with Hawaiian sacred Hula dancer and healer at a sacred ceremony  at the site of the Goddess....

Shambhavi making offerings into the pacific ocean in Kauai on a Saturday for Shani Deva! His Blessings guide us through our karmic lessons with divine grace.

Birds settling in at sunset on a tree in Hawaii.

With beautiful mystic Hawaiian healers on the island of Hawaii.

With Hawaiian Healers at  Kilauea the world's most active volcano, making offerings to the Great Goddess Pele.

Shambhavi chanting Maha Kali dhyana mantra honoring the power and benevolence of the Mother Goddess at the smoking caldera on Mount

In deep contemplation of the mystic magic of Hawaii's Black sands

An amazing experience walking through the lava tunnel...the energies inside draw one into the mesmeric powers of Goddess Pele, her semblance to Ma Kali is surreal. 

Dr. David Frawley and Shambhavi in grass valley

June brought us to the California College of Ayurveda in Grass Valley with Dr. Marc Halpern and a group of dedicated sadhaks for a 4 day workshop on the "The Healing Energies of Shiva &Shakti".

Workshop Attendees

Some of the sadhaks who shared in our experience of working with Shiva and Shakti - the pure Consciousness and Cosmic energy as factors of Spiritual awakening at an individual level. Shiva and Shakti represent the primal powers of Nature as Sun and Moon, Fire and Water, Agni and Soma, Pitta and Kapha,Male and Female. Balancing these forces is the key to higher Ayurvedic and Yogic practices.

At the CCA in Grass Valley with Dr. David Frawley, Dr. Marc Halpern and Swami Sita , Shivananda Ashram. 

Our Yogini Shakti Retreat in Bazil was a mystical experience,August 2009 , syncronizing the divine grace of Shakti with Mother Earth , Mother Nature and Beauiful Brazilian Sadhaks.  

Sadhak Debbie translating for Yogini Shambhavi at the opening night with a Shakti Sankalpa, setting our sacred goals in life.

Yogini Shambhavi guiding sadhaks through the Yogini Bhava healing meditation with mantras....the overwhelming experience allowed our hearts to heal and rejuvenate!

Morning Yoga asana is gently guided by Yoga Acharya Vincente Morrison 

Harnessing the power of Yoga Shakti is the Saturday morning session

Yogini Shambhavi guides everyone to the waterfall for afternoon offerings and meditation.

Explaining the power of Shakti inherent in Mother Nature and why we must nurture and conserve nature.

Red Roses the sacred Shakti offering is Shambhavi's personal saga with Ma Kali!

Roses lift our spirits in divine grace!

Beautiful Renata Mendes reveres Bhumi-Devi, the Mother Goddess residing in the earth.

The Earth Ship abode in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Santa Fe

WINTER in Santa Fe is blissful in quiet repose where our Earth Ship abode draws us into meditative states. The Earth Ship is built into the mountain sustaining Nature's warmth and powerful energies. It is heated mainly by the light of the Sun.

Snowbound mountains usher in the blessings of Shiva and Shakti covered in the Soma of delight.

The beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains express the beatitude of Shiva and Shakti's Soma Rasa or immortal nectar. The forests are abundant with Aspen, Blue Spruce, Fir, Ponderosa Pine, Pinions and Junipers. Deer, Coyote, Bears, Marmots, Squirrels and Chipmunks are sighted on the hillsides.

Night time Satsanghs held the delight of chanting and sharing prasada, while the seagulls made their last calls before turning in for their repose. Late into the night we sat by the water front cherishing the delights of ashram baked bread with Guava jelly spread on thick, sipping warm herbal tea. The lull of heavy waves bestowed the comfort of sweet grace as one moved into the deeper night of meditative bliss 

Shambhavi with sadhaks
FEBRUARY brought over 55 sadhaks to the flowing waters of Ma Ganga where we gathered for our ‘Inner Tantric Yoga Retreat'. A forty five minute drive from Rishikesh winding through the Himalayas, gracing the flow of the sacred Ganga River brought us to the beautiful Neemrana property of the Glass House.

Four days drew sadhaks from India, Brazil, Russia, America and Europe into a whirlwind romance with Nature, Shiva and Shakti energies, and the bliss of Ma Ganga. We began with Bhuta Shuddhi ‘purification ‘through rituals. It was a celebration of divinity, where every sadhak (spiritual seeker) tapped their inner beauty, peace and joyousness. Connectivity is the code word in our retreats, allowing everyone to connect with the Higher Powers of the Universe, Mother Earth, and Nature's elements.

Vamadeva Shastriji delights in festivities with a sadhak

Celebration is not merely festivities; it is a commemoration of all that is divine, a salutation to our Inner and Outer Being. Sacred rituals, Mantra Japa, Asana, Pranayama and Homa (fire offerings) consecrated our space, body, mind and soul. Our hearts sought jubilation in evening Arati by the banks of Ma Ganga, where every sadhak offered flowers, incense, ghee lamp and camphor placed on a small leaf boat. The offerings carried our gentle prayers into the rivers flow rejuvenating us with the Mother Goddess's sweet Grace.

Shambhavi meditating on the Devi with Shlokas

The Ancient Jnana (wisdom) is rendered under a beautiful Mango tree with sadhaks gathered around. Vamadeva Shastriji (Dr. David Frawley) guided us through the Vedic sciences of Ayurveda, Jyotish (Vedic Astrology), and Tantra. Shambhavi brought in the lure of the Devi (Divine Shakti) and Astrological Upaya (remedial measures) to the Planetary Lord or Devata ruling day. Eventide saw us gathered around a Havan (fire ritual) by the flowing Ganga River.

Mystic offerings during the night time Havan

Partaking of Prasada at mealtimes was a delight of an amazing sattvic spread. Dinners were by candlelight where one could hear the rush of the mighty Ganga waters, the scent of night blossoms and flower decorations allured the night. Winding down the day's revelry brought us to silent repose after dinner. Some of us sat under the mango tree lit up with a hundred ghee lamps, basking in the sweet glory of the Mother Goddess, sharing our experiences and thoughts.

The Inner Tantric Retreat is literally an ode to Ma Ganga in praise of the power and Grace of the Divine. Jai Ma Guru!

Vamadeva Shastriji & Shambhavi at the Yoga and Ayurveda Conference at Parmarth Ashram

END FEBRUARY brought Ayurveda fans from all over the world to attend "The Yoga and Ayurveda Conference" at Parmarth Ashram, organized by Punarva. There was a host of wonderful speakers sharing their wisdom with us

Vamadeva and Shambhavi with Swami Chidananda at Parmarth ashram

EARLY MARCH kept us in Rishikesh at the Parmarth ashram for the International Yoga festival. Swami Chidananda lights up everyone's heart with the festivities and the Ganga Arati singing praises of Ma Ganga every evening at sunset. 

Arati by the banks of Ma Ganga in Rishikesh

The evening Arati is a joyful experience where every sadhak pays obeisance to Mother Ganga with fire offerings and flowers singing praises to the Divine.

Vamadeva Shastri & Shambhavi with Swami Dayananda Saraswati

MARCH took Vamadeva Shastriji and Shambhavi to Jaipur for a world conference on the Divine Feminine. We were honoured with the darshan of Swami Dayananda Saraswatiji, Ammaji, Dadi Ma, Anandmurti Guruma and mystics from all around the world. One sensed the cry from the heart of Tibet. 

Shambhavi with women participants from around the world.

It was amazing to see people from all over the world sharing their experiences, trials and tribulations. There was a warmth and joyfulness in being together sharing each other's sacred space. 

Vamadeva, Shambhavi, Saby Singh at the steps of the temple after darshan.

Sacred sojourns took us to the hill top temple of Dunagiri honouring the forms of Shailputri Devi and Brahmacharini Devi. Traversing 365 steep steps led us to the Goddess's darshan.

Ma Durga in her beautiful aspect of holding the Varada Mudra 'her gesture of abundance and blessings.

Dunagiri is an ancient temple where every Kumaoni pays darshan at least once in a lifetime. Newly married couples seek the Devi's blessings here. There is a spectacular view of the sacred Himalayan peaks from the temple. The climb is lined with red and gold flags, tied to every tree with a wish!

Shambhavi with sadhaks at Kamakhya temple in Guwahati

A WHIRLWIND trip drew me to the lotus feet of Kamakhya Kamakshi in Guwahati, Assam. The goddess here is the 'wishfulling Devi' granting us her blessings. Kamakhya Devi's energies graced my inner samskaras ‘past experiences or impressions' having been born in the vicinity of the Kamakhya temple. Sheer mysticism graced my being through the Goddess's divine grace at her Tantric Pitha.

Yogi is the gentlest Boxer ever. He grew up as a puppy spending time with me during my sadhana and mantra Japa. The vibrations stilled his restlessness as a puppy giving him a gentle demeanor.

MAY brought me back to santa Fe , where the melting snows allow the rush of spring to come through.There is a certain pranic energy in the thrust of new shoots, flowers and foliage.The abundance of nature fills up our hearts. 

                                                               
Vamadeva and Shambhavi with Chakrapani Ullal at UAC Denver.                           
MAY 15 - 20 took us to Denver for the UAC Astrology conference. They introduced the Vedic Astrology tract represented by Chakrapani Ullal,Vamadeva Shastri (Dr. David Frawley) Dennis Harness and the American College of Vedic Astrology. Time spent with Chakrapaniji is always a gift of great experience as he has been with all the revered Gurus of yester years Anandamayi Maa, Bhagwan Nityananda Muktanandaji.

Shambhavi with Ed Zadlo.

Shambhavi teaching earlier in St. Petersburg

MID JULY were programmes in St. Petersburg at the Veda Life center.
St. Petersburg unraveled the mysticism of the "White Nights" where the Sun never sets. It seemed to be a time of weddings where as tradition the bridal couples visit all the sacred places for good luck.

Shambhavi with sadhak Olga in Moscow.

The Russians are beautiful people, warm, peaceful and loving.


Vedalife in Moscow hosted our programmes for a week, where Vamadeva Shastri taught Ayurveda and Healing and Shambhavi taught the Shakti traditions.

Vamadeva and Shambhavi with a group of Sadhaks in Moscow.


The sadhaks showed their appreciation with warm gestures of roses, icons and bottles of honey.

 

Shambhavi addresses a gathering at the Yoga and Ayurveda conference in Brazil.

EARLY AUGUST drew us into the whirlpool energies of Brazil. There is exuberance in the air moving in the fast lanes of life. Yet there is beauty in diversity.

Vamadeva addressing the conference on Yoga and Ayurveda.

Integrating Yoga and Ayurveda was becoming a way of life for mainstream Brazilians. There was a keen awareness for creating a happier healthier lifestyle.

Marcia De Luca and Renata with Shambhavi


The Brazilian women had beautiful energies with a softness of heart and depth of spirit.

Marcia De Luca and Renata are doing great work in the fields of Yoga and Ayurveda

Jubilant Brazil at the Yoga Pela Paz , Yoga for Peace.

PEACE is what every heart seeks and Sao Paulo brought together over 14,000 people to collect at the central park, swaying to the flow of Krishna Das's kirtan music.

Shambhavi sings a Devi Invocation at the Yoga Pela Paz, with Marcia introducing her as the Yogini.

It was joyful to see the beautiful Brazilians gather together in Love, Light and Bliss!

It seemed like a delightful celebration with everyone sharing their sacred space.

Vamadeva and Shambhavi with Krishna Das.
 
Krishna Das's  beautiful voice captivated everyone with his kirtan music...

Everyone's Heart lit up with Love and compassion embracing joyfulness. Without the loving care of volunteers this would not have been possible.


Shambhavi with loving volunteers at Yoga Pela Paz.

It was time for celebrating the Yogini's mysticism with the release of Shambhavi's book in Portuguese "Yogini Unfolding the Goddess Within". At the launch we had 300 people raising hands in mystic symphony.

Shambhavi with Marcia De Luca at her Yogini book launch.

Shambhavi's youngest Yogini fan

Women identify with the spirit and zest of the Yogini. The book was also launched at the World Book Fair in Sao Paulo.

Vamadeva and Shambhavi with Dr. Rugue at a havan (fire ritual)

We flew down for a few days of teaching at Dr. Rugue's center in Uberlandia. The mornings were taught by Vamadeva Shastri (Dr. David Frawley).Dusk sought the sacred knowledge of the Mother Goddess by Shambhavi.
The ashram was beautiful with waterfalls, coffee plantations, serpents and birds.

Shambhavi in deep contemplation and silent meditation.

Contemplating on the sacred draws one into deep meditative bliss. Moments and places like this are to be treasured in silence more than being a display of showmanship.

NAMA in October was a wonderful experience of integrating Vedic Astrology with Yoga and Ayurveda. Dennis Harness of ACVA and Dr. David Frawley introduced Vedic Astrology amidst a lot of applause and keen interest. Meeting up with Devi, Kumar Batraji and Dr. Vasant Lad is always a pleasure.