Our founder
Sadhvi Sshivani Durga ji
Sadhvi Sshivani Durga ji is the founder and head of the Sarveshwari Shakti International Women Aghori Akhara, and the guiding presence behind its rituals at Manali Ashram.
Her path
A life given to the Divine Mother
Drawn to the worship of the Divine Mother from an early age, Sadhvi Sshivani Durga ji took up the path of sadhana and the Aghor tradition, devoting herself to the worship of Maa Pratyangira Devi.
In 2015 she founded the Akhara so that this worship could continue faithfully and be open to every sincere devotee. She chose Manali, in the stillness of the Himalayas, as the place where the Akhara's rituals would be performed.
Today she guides the Akhara's priests and its seva, and devotees come to her for counsel on the difficulties they face in family, health, work and the inner life.
She has been serving people since 1999. She founded IWCVT in 2011 and SSIWAA in 2015.
Her work today
- Guiding the ritualsOverseeing the poojas, homas and festival observances at Manali Ashram.
- Counsel for devoteesHelping devotees understand their concerns and the right pooja for them.
- Women in the traditionCreating space for women to learn, practise and lead within the Shakti tradition.
- Building the communityBringing devotees in India and abroad together around the Akhara.
Teachings
What she asks of devotees
- 01
Let go of fear
The Aghor path teaches that fear is the first obstacle. Surrender it to the Mother and walk forward.
- 02
Serve without expectation
Seva done quietly, for others, is itself a form of worship.
- 03
Keep a steady practice
A few minutes of daily prayer, kept faithfully, is worth more than grand gestures made rarely.
Seek the Mother's blessings
Book a pooja performed under the guidance of Sadhvi Sshivani Durga ji at Manali Ashram.