{"id":25644,"date":"2026-01-04T14:14:35","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T06:14:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=25644"},"modified":"2026-01-04T14:14:35","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T06:14:35","slug":"inside-ananda-in-the-himalayas-whose-clients-include-king-charles-bill-gates-and-oprah-winfrey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=25644","title":{"rendered":"Inside Ananda in the Himalayas, whose clients include King Charles, Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Once upon a time, the maharaja of Tehri Garhwal discovered a beautiful piece of land in the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, India. It was here that he built the stunning Viceregal Palace, which played host to heads of state from India and abroad, including Britain\u2019s Lord Mountbatten.<\/p>\n

Long after the British Raj<\/span> had disappeared, an entrepreneur stumbled upon this magical place. He decided to transform the estate and its lush surroundings into a sanctuary of wellness that celebrated ancient Indian virtues and holistic living. Ananda in the Himalayas was born.<\/div>\n
The country\u2019s first luxury wellness retreat, it celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025, and over the years has hosted a fittingly illustrious clientele, including celebrities and royalty such as Oprah Winfrey<\/span>, Bill Gates<\/span> and King Charles<\/span>.<\/div>\n
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The restored Viceregal Palace is the historic heart of Ananda. Photo: Handout<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The resort is reached via a 40-minute domestic flight from Delhi, followed by a beautiful, winding drive up through the mountains. Upon entering through its golden gates, it\u2019s as though you\u2019ve been transported to a different world.<\/p>\n

The main reception area is housed in the palace annex, while the resort is spread across 40 hectares of forest, home to rare birds and baboons (only 15 per cent is developed). The grounds include an outdoor yoga pavilion, amphitheatre, walking track and even a six-hole golf course. The views take in two of India\u2019s spiritual landmarks: yoga mecca Rishikesh and a section of the holy Ganges River. Even if you do not believe in the mystical, it\u2019s hard not to feel the energy that permeates the place.<\/p>\n

The resort\u2019s 75 rooms and suites are clustered around the main complex, with three free-standing villas \u2013 each with its own deck and pool \u2013 set apart for added privacy. The Viceregal Suite, with its period four-poster bed, is located in the palace. My recently renovated suite is elegant with colourful design touches, but the real lure is the expansive balcony with panoramic views of Rishikesh as it lights up the sky each evening.<\/p>\n

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Yoga at Ananda in the Himalayas. Photo: Handout<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Ananda\u2019s core practices are rooted in Ayurveda, yoga and Vedanta (an ancient system of Hindu philosophy), and it has expanded its offerings over the years to encompass physiotherapy, emotional healing and traditional Chinese medicine<\/span>. The focus remains more holistic than medical, with new programmes addressing women\u2019s health, fertility and weight loss (the kitchen can serve up to 300 different menu items daily). Guests are encouraged to commit to a minimum of seven days for any comprehensive programme, while those undergoing panchakarma \u2013 traditional Ayurvedic detox therapy<\/span> \u2013 can stay for as long as two months.<\/div>\n
My first order of business is a doctor\u2019s consultation in the 24,000 sq ft spa, which houses facilities such as a Kneipp pool, a sauna and steam room, a gym and a Slim Aarons-worthy<\/span> outdoor pool. The main restaurant nearby features a stunning alfresco deck under a canopy of towering trees.<\/div>\n

As I\u2019m walking over, I realise that everyone is dressed in identical white kurta pyjamas, which are given to guests to wear during their stay. I\u2019m not sure if I want to look like I\u2019m part of a cult \u2013 albeit a very elegant one \u2013 but once I change, I feel more relaxed and serene (full disclosure: I barely changed out of them for the rest of the trip).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


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