Diljit Dosanjh's Rishikesh Getaway: Inside The Former Royal Palace Now Home To Ananda

When Diljit Dosanjh recently shared photographs from his visit to Rishikesh, one particular backdrop caught everyone’s attention: the grand façade of a historic palace overlooking the Himalayan foothills. Captioning his pictures “Rishikesh – Yoga Rajdhani,” the singer offered a glimpse into his mountain getaway, which included time at the historic Narendra Nagar Palace, now home to Ananda in the Himalayas. It was a fitting setting for a break from the spotlight.

Spread across 100 acres of forested estate in Narendra Nagar, Uttarakhand, Ananda is not quite the conventional luxury hotel. It is a destination spa, designed around the idea that a holiday can be as much about restoring the mind and body as it is about discovering a new place. Sal forests surround the property, while the elevated setting offers views of Rishikesh and the meandering Ganges. The Sanskrit word ananda translates to happiness, and the retreat's philosophy draws on India's traditional understanding of holistic living, bringing together Ayurveda, yoga, meditation and Vedanta with international wellness therapies.

A Palace With A Past

To understand Ananda, it helps to begin with the history of the estate. Narendra Nagar was once the summer capital of the princely state of Tehri Garhwal, ruled by the Shah dynasty. The palace complex served as the official residence of the Maharaja, and the estate's history is closely tied to the region's royal past. One of its most recognisable buildings is the Viceregal Palace, constructed in 1910–11 by the Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal in anticipation of a visit by the Viceroy of India. The visit never materialised, but the building remained, eventually welcoming prominent figures, including Lord Mountbatten.

The palace was restored and reimagined as part of Ananda, which opened in 2000. The idea came from Ashok Khanna, the retreat's founder and managing director, who wanted to create a destination wellness centre rooted in Indian traditions but informed by international practices. The setting was central to that vision. The Himalayan foothills are closely associated with yoga and Ayurveda, and Narendra Nagar offered the landscape and historical character he was looking for.

Today, the palace is more than an architectural centrepiece. It houses the reception and the Viceregal Tea Lounge, where guests can settle in for a quiet afternoon over tea. The property retains several reminders of its earlier life, including the Maharaja's billiards room, with its century-old billiards table, and the Viceregal Hall, once the Maharaja's skating rink. The Viceregal Suite, meanwhile, offers a particularly atmospheric way to experience the estate's history, with antique furnishings, a four-poster bed, a private dining area and a terrace overlooking the gardens and valley.

Wellness Beyond The Spa

Wellness is the central experience at Ananda, rather than an amenity reserved for an afternoon. Its 24,000 sq ft spa has 25 treatment rooms and offers more than 90 body and beauty treatments, spanning Ayurvedic, Oriental and international therapies. Guests can choose from massages, cleansing rituals and other treatments, with guidance from Ayurvedic doctors and trained therapists.

The retreat's programmes are tailored to individual requirements and can range from short stays focused on stress management to longer residential wellness journeys. These include Ayurvedic rejuvenation, detox and cleansing, yoga, meditation, weight management, fitness, hormonal balance and chronic pain management. Traditional Panchakarma, for instance, is offered as a 21-night programme, while other experiences are available over five, seven, 14 or 21 nights, depending on the treatment.

Yoga and meditation are equally integral to the experience. Drawing on Hatha and Raja Yoga, sessions can incorporate asanas, pranayama, mudras and meditation, with practices adapted to individual needs. There are also programmes centred on emotional healing and spiritual awareness, including guided meditation, mantra chanting and self-study. The idea is to help guests take away practices that can be incorporated into their everyday routines, rather than limit wellness to the duration of their stay.

Eating Well, The Ananda Way

Food is another part of the retreat's approach to wellbeing. Rather than following a fixed menu, the culinary team creates meals around guests' wellness programmes, dietary requirements and Ayurvedic body types or doshas. The menus draw on traditional Indian cooking as well as Asian and international cuisines, with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from local farmers and organic farms. Herbs and kitchen spices are also grown in the property's gardens.

The signature restaurant is set among old sal trees and features an outdoor dining deck for more intimate meals. Guests can also spend an afternoon at the Tea Lounge or enjoy light refreshments by the pool. Private dining can be arranged at secluded spots across the estate for special occasions. The emphasis is on making healthy food an enjoyable part of the stay, rather than treating it as a restrictive wellness prescription.

Beyond The Estate

While there is enough to occupy guests within the property, Ananda's location also makes it a starting point for exploring the Himalayan foothills. Guided nature walks and treks can be arranged around places such as Kunjapuri, Ranichauri and Kashmouli, with routes tailored to individual interests and experience. Those looking for something more adventurous can head to the Ganges for white-water rafting or visit Rajaji National Park, known for its elephants, deer, wild boar and rich birdlife.

The spiritual landscape around Rishikesh offers another dimension to the stay. Guests can visit temples such as Neelkanth Mahadev, Bharat Temple and Lakshman Temple, explore local ashrams and experience the Ganga Aarti along the river. The Beatles Ashram, also known as Chaurasi Kutiya, is another excursion for those interested in the town's more recent cultural history.

A Retreat With A Wider Responsibility

Ananda's relationship with its surroundings also extends to its sustainability initiatives. The property uses recycled water from its sewage treatment plant for gardening, has an on-site water bottling facility to serve drinking water in reusable glass bottles, and uses drip irrigation and sprinklers across its gardens. It also works with local farmers for a significant part of its fruit and vegetable supply. Its Ananda Spa Foundation supports vocational training for young people from disadvantaged communities, school maintenance and local cleanliness initiatives.

Over the years, the retreat has earned quite a lot of accolades like being named among the world's leading destination spas. Its appeal has also extended to a high-profile international clientele, with personalities such as Oprah Winfrey and the Prince and Princess of Wales among its reported visitors.

But the real distinction of Ananda lies in how it brings its different histories and experiences together. It is a former royal estate, a Himalayan hideaway and a wellness destination that draws on traditions deeply rooted in the region. For travellers who want more from a mountain holiday than scenic views and a comfortable room, it offers the opportunity to slow down, explore the landscape and experience a different idea of luxury.

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