Trave l | D e tox d e s t i n at i o n s
This page: Ananda spa is based in a maharaja’s palace
GET UPLIFTED IN INDIA Ananda-In The Himalayas, Narendra Nagar, Uttarakhand, India When seeking a spiritual replenishment, plenty of travellers choose India. And for obvious reasons: its mix of culture, relaxation and food is tough to beat. But there are Indian spas, and there is Ananda, tucked high into the foothills of the Himalayas in a maharaja’s palace. Ananda means bliss in Sanskrit, and there’s little of the hundred-acre resort that hasn’t turned its blissfulness up to a chakrapopping 11. Older guests might remember Ananda’s milieu from the Sixties, when the nearby town of Rishikesh became the yoga centre of the world. It was where The Beatles came to seek cosmic refuge in 1968 at the height of their fame. The local scene has gone upmarket since the Fab Four were in town. And there’s enough at Ananda to dry out even the most reckless of rockstar. Immediately upon arrival (around a 40-minute drive from the incredibly-named Jolly Grant Airport) guests at Ananda are given a yogic timetable aiming to stimulate, invigorate and relax. Ananda’s principles are based on Ayurvedic medicine, a 3,000-yearold discipline stressing the balance between mind, body and spirit. Regular massages are de rigeur. So is a private butler. It’s not all plain sailing, though: nakedness and nasal cleansing might deter more prudish spa-goers. But Ananda’s food is designed to get you back in shape – and its chefs will teach you how to make a variety of detox dishes including lentil curries and beetroot salads. You’ll also find that this retreat has a unique setting. The luxuriant former residence of the maharaja of Tehri Garhwal, it was built in the 19th century and has hosted a variety of important figures including Mahatma Gandhi. Anand’s brilliant architecture and views across the state of Uttarakhand ensure a health resort unlike any other. Fly there Fly to Dehradun via Delhi with Spice Jet. spicejet.com
26
DUBAI VOYAGER