In the Heart of Bodhgaya, The Shoonyam Retreat Charts A New Path To Mindful Living

There’s something about Bodhgaya that slows you down the moment you arrive. The air feels lighter, the pace gentler, and every corner whispers of the Buddha’s great awakening. Now, Sarovar Hotels is weaving this ancient spiritual energy into a new wellness experience with The Shoonyam Retreat—a soulful sojourn curated in collaboration with celebrity holistic health guru, Dr Mickey Mehta. Hosted at Marasa Sarovar Premiere, Bodhgaya, the retreat promises not just relaxation, but a deeper reset of the body, mind, and spirit.

Sacred Setting

The choice of location is no accident. Marasa Sarovar Premiere sits in the heart of Bodhgaya, the very site where the Buddha attained enlightenment. The retreat taps into this sacred geography, pairing it with carefully designed programmes that combine yoga, meditation, and healing therapies. Guests can expect everything from aqua yoga and satsangs to star meditations under Bodhgaya’s luminous skies. Adding to the experience are conversations with Buddhist monks and Satvik culinary explorations, ensuring that each element feeds into the idea of mindful living.

Ajay K. Bakaya, Chairman of Sarovar Hotels & Director of Louvre Hotels India, calls it “more than a wellness retreat, it’s a journey inward; anchored in one of the most spiritual places in the world.” That sense of inward movement is reflected in every aspect of the programme, right from the group sessions personally guided by Dr Mehta to the intimate scale of the retreat, which is limited to just 100 guests per session.

Curated Journeys

The Shoonyam Retreat is structured as a series of three exclusive sessions over the next four months, each lasting three nights. These immersive programmes are designed to encourage self-healing and self-regulation, with activities that seamlessly blend ancient wisdom with modern wellness practices. Dance therapy, guided meditations, healing therapies, and yoga-inspired rituals form the core, while Mehta’s own philosophy brings an added layer of depth.

“Death has no right over life, it is only the culmination of disease, and disease is the outcome of choice,” says Dr Mehta, encouraging participants to “choose evolution over entropy.” For him, the retreat is not just about healing; it’s about becoming whole, liberated, alive, and aligned with one’s true essence. With sessions unfolding against the backdrop of Bodhgaya’s monasteries, prayer flags, and stillness, the experience feels designed to take you both inwards and upwards.

Beyond Trends

ANTAR, a digital wellness ecosystem envisioned and mentored by Dr Mehta, is backing the initiative. Unlike quick-fix trends, ANTAR aims to be a sustainable path to holistic health, integrating ancient philosophies with modern science. Its presence ensures that The Shoonyam Retreat is not an isolated weekend indulgence but part of a larger continuum of mindful living.

Bookings for the first session, set to begin on October 9, 2025, are now open, with early bird offers available until September 12. Guests booking in groups of five rooms or more can also avail special benefits. With its blend of Bodhgaya’s spiritual resonance, Sarovar’s hospitality, and Mehta’s guiding presence, the retreat looks set to become more than just another wellness holiday.

Instead, it is an invitation to pause, reflect, and rediscover what it means to be whole. In the quiet stillness of Bodhgaya, under its star-lit skies, The Shoonyam Retreat offers the rare chance to choreograph your own evolution.

FAQs

1. What is The Shoonyam Retreat?
The Shoonyam Retreat is a three-night immersive wellness programme launched by Sarovar Hotels in collaboration with holistic health guru Dr Mickey Mehta. It combines yoga, meditation, healing therapies, and mindful living practices with the spiritual ambience of Bodhgaya.

2. Where is the retreat being hosted?
The retreat will take place at Marasa Sarovar Premiere, Bodhgaya—set in the sacred landscape where the Buddha attained enlightenment.

3. How many sessions are planned?
There will be three specially curated sessions spread over four months, beginning on October 9, 2025. Each session will host a maximum of 100 guests to ensure a personalised and intimate experience.

4. What activities are included in the programme?
Guests can experience yoga and aqua yoga, guided meditation, satsangs, healing and dance therapies, conversations with Buddhist monks, star meditation, and Satvik culinary journeys. Group wellness sessions will also be personally led by Dr Mickey Mehta.

5. How can one book a spot?
Bookings are now open on the official Sarovar Hotels website. An early bird discount of 10 per cent is available until September 12, 2025, with additional benefits for bulk bookings of five rooms or more.