In an era dominated by relentless digital pings and overflowing to-do lists, I had nearly lost touch with the simple art of being still. Juggling deadlines from my life in Canada amidst a cacophony of online noise, I craved a profound connection to something deeper, far removed from the daily grind. This yearning guided me to the gates of Ananda in the Himalayas, an exclusive sanctuary for wellness and renewal.
A Sanctuary in the Himalayan Foothills
Perched high in the Himalayan foothills of northern India, Ananda rests within the sprawling 100-acre palace estate once belonging to the Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal. The retreat offers breathtaking views over the sacred Ganges River valley and the spiritual town of Rishikesh, widely recognized as the birthplace of yoga. This majestic setting provides the perfect backdrop for a complete mental, physical, and spiritual reset.
This isn't just any retreat; it's a haven that has drawn a glittering roster of international celebrities and royalty, including Oprah Winfrey, Uma Thurman, Ed Norton, Will Smith, King Charles III and Queen Camilla, and Deepak Chopra. During a misty week in September, I found myself among a select group of guests, each on our own personal quest for improvement, discovery, or healing.
Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Wellness
Ananda masterfully integrates the ancient, 5,000-year-old holistic science of Ayurveda with practices like yoga, meditation, breathwork, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The retreat offers a variety of targeted programs designed to address specific health and wellness goals, from managing chronic pain and stress to enhancing fertility and undergoing holistic detoxification.
I embarked on their holistic detox program, which is engineered to mobilize and eliminate toxins from the body, thereby improving blood and lymphatic circulation and boosting metabolic function. The experience is all-inclusive, with accommodation, personalized cuisine, and your chosen program bundled into one comprehensive fee, with programs starting at approximately $1,200 per night.
Beyond private consultations with a team of dedicated physicians and wellness practitioners, Ananda provides enriching group sessions. These go beyond daily Hatha yoga to explore profound Indian spiritual philosophies, known as Vedanta, applying them to modern challenges like handling difficult people. These teachings are complemented by a global array of therapies, such as Tibetan Ku Nye massage, acupuncture, and sound healing.
Expanding Holistic Horizons
Marking its 25th anniversary this year, Ananda has expanded its wellness portfolio to include new, focused programs addressing women's health and hormonal balance, diabetes, and sleep issues. Each new offering maintains the retreat's signature integrated approach to healing, grounded in evidence-based research and delivered by a team genuinely invested in every guest's well-being.
Every detail at Ananda, from the meticulously maintained main palace built in 1910 to the daily set of fresh, white kurta pyjamas, is curated to support your journey inward. My week there was more than a vacation; it was a powerful reminder of the profound peace and clarity that emerges when we truly allow ourselves to be still.
