- Ananda (spa)
Ananda in the Himalayas is a
destination spa in the IndianHimalayas . The word "ananda" means bliss and contentment, which is reflected in the spa's aim of promoting spiritual wellbeing.The spa is found at the royal palace of Manbendra Shah, the
Maharajah of Tehri-Garhwal, a 100-acre mountain estate with views of the holyHindu riverGanges and the famous Kashmiri temple towns of Rishikesh and Haridwar. (The facilities of the viceregal's palace are part of the spa.)Traditional Indian practices of
yoga , meditation andayurveda are offered at the spa. It also offers treatments such as steam baths, sauna and cold plunge, Kneipp foot baths, as well as more usual spa treatments, such as massage, body wraps, and salon treatments at India's firstAveda salon.The spa was originally developed by a joint venture between Indian Hotels and Health Resorts and Rafael Group Hoteliers. The joint venture was dissolved in December 2001 after Rafael was acquired by the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in 2000, and the spa is now operated by Indian Hotels and Health Resorts alone.
Ananda has been frequented by high profile celebrities such as
Oprah Winfrey andJerry Hall .The managing director is Mr. Ashok Khanna who is the grandson of the late Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi, the founder of the world renound Oberoi Hotel group. The Chairman of the group is Mr. Gautam Khanna, the son in law of Rai bahadur M.S. Oberoi.
Ratings
Conde Nast Traveller rated this spa as the Best Overseas Spa Retreat with a score rating of 99.62 and the World's Number 1 Spa. It is also the only spa in India to be awarded the 5 wave certificate by BISA (British International Spa Association).
References
*http://www.anandaspa.com
*"India: Mandarin group, Indian Hotels part ways on Himalayan resort," "Businessline." Chennai: Dec 27, 2001. page 1.
* "Ayurveda Meets Five-Star Splendor at New 'Ananda,'" by Lisa Tsering. "India - West." May 18, 2001, Vol.XXVI, Isse 29; page C32.
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
