Luxury Resort · Rishikesh
Ananda in the Himalayas
India's first destination spa, opened in 2000 on the 100-acre estate of the Tehri royal palace at Narendra Nagar, above Rishikesh. Yoga, ayurveda and Vedanta programmes with spa therapies, set among sal forest with views down to the Ganga.
Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/peem/ · CC BY 2.0 · CommonsAnanda occupies part of the estate of the Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal at Narendra Nagar, the royal capital from 1919. Its Viceregal Palace was built in 1910–11 for an expected visit by the Viceroy, which never took place; Lord Mountbatten later stayed there. Around it, guest rooms, suites and villas sit in forest on a ridge looking down towards Rishikesh and the Ganga valley.
Ananda was established in 2000 as India's first destination spa and combines yoga, meditation, ayurveda and Vedanta with international spa treatments. Guests usually follow a programme set after a consultation, from stress management to detox, though shorter stays are possible. Food is health-focused and the atmosphere is quiet. It is the signature base for our Rishikesh wellness journeys.
Why we use it
- Royal Tehri estate with the 1910–11 Viceregal Palace
- Full yoga and ayurveda programmes with consultations
- Forest setting above Rishikesh, 30–40 minutes from the river
Best for
Trips that stay here
Sleep here on a trip
Photo: McKay Savage from London, UK · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
Signature
Kedarnath by helicopter, Badrinath and Ananda
Private car with driver and helicopter shuttle
Around the stay
Rishikesh
Rishikesh is the town at 340 m where the Ganga leaves the Himalaya, and the start of almost every Garhwal trip. Come for yoga, the evening aarti, rafting from mid-September to June, and the 5 am buses to the Char Dham. Stay two or three nights; October to April is most comfortable.
Photo: Bhuvi Uniyal · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Evening Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat
Every evening at sunset, priests at Triveni Ghat swing brass lamps over the Ganga while bells and chants fill the river…
Photo: Guy P Atkinson · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Beatles Ashram walk in Rajaji forest
Walk through the overgrown academy where the Beatles studied meditation in 1968. Stone meditation domes, a graffiti-cov…
Photo: Ritikamaheshwari58 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Rafting the Ganga from Shivpuri
The 16 km Shivpuri run is Rishikesh's classic half-day on the river: grade II–III rapids, a cold swim in a calm stretch…
Questions
About Ananda in the Himalayas
Where is Ananda in the Himalayas?
At Narendra Nagar, on the hill above Rishikesh, about 30–40 minutes by car from the town and about an hour from Dehradun's Jolly Grant airport. The estate belongs to the former Tehri royal family.
Do I need to join a programme at Ananda?
Many guests choose a wellness programme, which usually has a minimum stay and includes consultations, treatments and meals. Shorter stays without a full programme may be possible. Check current offers with the resort when booking.
Can I visit the Ganga ghats from Ananda?
Yes. Rishikesh's ghats, Ram Jhula and the evening aarti are 30–40 minutes away by car. The resort can arrange transfers, and we often include an evening at Triveni Ghat or Parmarth Niketan.
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Photo: McKay Savage from London, UK · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
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