VANA GO HERE TOO

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(This article has been edited by Oh,Well but it remains true to the author’s experience and reflections.)

I’ll be honest, I had no intention of checking myself into a wellness retreat.

In the Summer of 2022, I had a dreamy holiday planned with a few friends, and then the inevitable happened…My visa didn’t arrive on time. Desperate for a break, a friend suggested Vana. Her sister had just visited and couldn’t stop talking about it.

I did a little research and I was sold. Although it’s on the pricier side, I decided to go for it and book a five-day retreat. Let’s say this was the easiest and quickest I’d ever packed… knowing I was going to be sans makeup and in their white kurta pajamas the entire time.

Getting There...

The trip to Vana was fairly easy, a direct flight to Dehradun from Mumbai and an hour’s drive from the airport. Nestled amidst the beautiful Sal Forest, the property immediately transports you into another world as you enter its gates.

I was greeted by one of their extremely warm staff members at the entrance, who walked me through the Kila (the main building) and then to my building block and room. Like the rest of the property, the rooms were beautifully designed, overlooking the dense green forest.

Being an Interior Designer, the 20-acre property, designed by the Spanish firm, Esteva Arquitectura inspired me deeply with its understated design that seamlessly blends and extends itself into the greenery of its surroundings.

Welcome to Vana

Once settled in, my first to-do was to meet the Ayurvedic doctor who would learn a little bit about me and my health and plan my five-day itinerary based on my Ayurvedic Doshas; Vata, Pitta and Kapha. It all sounds a little like mumbo-jumbo in the beginning but as you go along, I promise it all starts to make sense.

The itinerary plans your massages and treatments leaving enough time to pick and choose the classes you wish to attend. You could fill your day with as much or as little as you desired which was great. The first evening after my extremely relaxing massage, it was dinner time. I was slightly apprehensive about the Sattvic food, but once it arrived, it blew my mind. Thoughtfully curated, portion-controlled, nutritious, healthy and organic food like I have never eaten before.

Through the course of 5 days, I tried to do just enough, with massages, treatments, classes and also time to read, reflect, nap and just take in the quiet and solitude. Vana has so much to offer from Ayurvedic Massages, Tibetan Medicine treatments such as Ku Nye, Hot and Cold Stone therapy, Five Elements Acupuncture, private yoga sessions, Watsu, and more. I ended up doing quite a few meditation and yoga classes, each time at a new location. I even signed up for a private outdoor yoga session under a banyan tree.

The weather was crisp, with light showers, compelling you to wrap up in a light shawl in the evenings. They had musical evenings in the Kila and I got to experience one with Songs of Kabir which was beautifully calming.

Conversing with a few of the staff members and learning more about the space and its surroundings, one of them suggested the Rishikesh half-day trip. Once again, I was sold!

The Rishikesh trip was private, with a chauffeur-driven car, a guide from the hotel and a little picnic basket for us. The agenda of this trip was to do a puja on the ghats of the Ganga and to witness the evening Ganga aarti. I am more spiritual than religious but I knew I had to be all in for this experience and not hold back. I had an amazing guide from the hotel who helped me understand the history of the old traditions and rituals, and it led me to the most enriching and goosebumps-filled experience that I will always remember.

"The place had worked its magical, healing powers on me."

On my drive back to the hotel, I was looking at ticket options to postpone my flight and stay on for another day. I went from someone who wondered what I was going to do for five days…to not wanting to leave at all.

In a very short stay, Vana helped me with my gut issues, stiff back, diet and lifestyle.

via GIPHY

They have managed to create an atmosphere that oozes tranquillity and Sukoon in the purest sense possible.

It healed and rejuvenated me in an unprecedented way that I will never forget. I can’t recommend this place enough, I am a convert and returned as a Vanavasi.

Book your transformative stay at Vana and experience the magic of their wellness programs. Contact them for any queries. Let the healing begin…