Monika was born in India to Sindhi and Bengali parents. As a toddler, fate transplanted her family to the US, where she grew up. Her childhood was a cultural blend of East and West in which Hinduism and Christianity were given equal importance. Her father's devotional practices influenced Monika's early years, as pujas, mantra repetition, and Yoga asanas were a part of her daily life. But the pull of the West was strong, and over time, she lost touch with her Eastern spiritual heritage.

After graduating with degrees in Chemistry and Art History, Monika lived for 10 years in New York City and had a thriving career in philanthropy and corporate strategy. Her personal interests were varied, and in addition to serving as a business executive by day, she cultivated a "dual life" as a professional belly dancer, master scuba diver, and adventurer to all seven continents.

Grateful for her outwardly charmed life in the West, her soul still yearned for more – Monika experienced the undeniable impetus to seek true happiness and the inherent connection to all existence. In 1999, she made the conscious decision to leave everything behind and set out on a 2.5 year quest for "Truth." Divine Grace fell upon her at the end of 2000 when she became a student of Swami Vivekananda in Rishikesh, India. Everything began to shift profoundly for Monika, and there was no turning back. She steadfastly continued her studies with Swami in India, Romania, and Thailand, and has now begun the fourth stage of the curriculum after completing 42 months of teachings.

Monika's major influences include the Mahavidyas (the 10 Cosmic Powers) and the philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism as interpreted through "Who Am I" inquiry. Monika has taught for four years at the Agama headquarters in Thailand (Koh Phangan), co-founded a new branch in Dharamsala, India, and is now pioneering the Agama system in Bodrum, Turkey.

Combining her experiences from leading the Agama Shakti Group (special tantric teachings for women) and her knowledge of dance, Monika also developed a Mystical Belly Dance intensive series which is often coined as "inspirational Yoga for women" in its ability to unveil the divine feminine within. In the last year alone, Monika's students have enthusiastically sponsored her to teach these sacred Yoga-dance workshops in Cambodia, Turkey, Belgium, Ireland, and Greece.

Monika is humbled by the spiritual support and knowledge bestowed upon her by Swami, and all of her teachers. She recently reclaimed India as her home base where she continues to deepen her practice in tantric mantra meditation and the eternal recognition of satsang.

"Abide in the Self. Then joyfully embrace All that follows as the delightful play of the Divine."