Ananda in the Himalayas is a luxury destination spa in the region of Narendra Nagar in Uttarakhand. It is situated in the beautiful 100-acre Himalayan mountain estate amidst sal forests which overlooks the river Ganges. Established in 2001, Ananda in the Himalayas was India’s first destination spa. Quite close to the towns of Rishikesh and Haridwar, Ananda concentrates on yoga and Ayurvedic practices which are then combined with international spa therapies.
The distinct feature of the property is that it includes the royal palace of Narendra Nagar, belonging to the Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal and the restored Viceregal Palace, added to the palace in 1910–11 by the Maharaja. Many years ago, given the focus on health and rejuvenation in the world, the founder was in search for a destination spa and that’s when the Palace of the Maharaja at Narendra Nagar, Tehri-Garwhal was discovered. The name of the place had to be something that embodies the spirit and ethos of what was to be offered to the guests and hence the property was called to be ‘Ananda – in the Himalayas’. The former Viceregal Palace was restored and Narendra Nagar became the summer capital and the Palace is where the present vice regal suite of Ananda in the Himalayas is located.
Visitors can choose from a range of traditional Indian practices of yoga, meditation, ayurveda and vedanta along with Ayurvedic spa treatments, Tibetan treatments and international therapies such as massage, body wraps and facials. The spa also focusses on a diet that resonates with the principles of Ayurveda. Several celebrities have frequented Ananda like Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates and Melinda Gates, Kate Winslet, Deepak Chopra, Nicole Kidman, Ricky Martin, Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
The spa packages offered here coupled with the rich heritage of the place makes it quite appealing for tourists all around the world. There are frequent flights from Delhi International Airport to Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. The flight time is 45 minutes followed by a 40 min drive to Ananda in the Himalayas.
The destination spa also focusses on education and for this purpose, The Ananda Spa Institute in Hyderabad, admitted its first group of students in the summer of 2008. This is a one of a kind educational institution that provides yoga, Ayurveda and international therapies under one roof. The institute aims to lead spa education in South East Asia and also maintain high standards throughout the region with international cooperation.