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Ananda in the Himalayas
Narendra Nagar, India · Independent · High Luxury
The Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal built the Viceregal Palace in 1910 to receive a Viceroy of India who never came, and the guests who did turn up included Mahatma Gandhi and, later, Lord Mountbatten. Since 2000 it has been Ananda, India's first destination spa, on a 100-acre estate of sal forest above the Ganges near Rishikesh, with Ayurveda, yoga and Vedanta programmes across 70 rooms.
- 75 rooms
- Opened 2000
- Neighborhood: Tehri Garhwal
- Rooms from 484 sq ft (45 m²)
About Ananda in the Himalayas
- The Viceregal Palace was built in 1910 and 1911 by the Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal for a visit by the Viceroy of India that never took place.
- Narendra Nagar takes its name from Maharaja Narendra Shah, who moved his capital here around 1910.
- Ananda opened in 2000 as India's first destination spa, after the palace estate was discovered by entrepreneur Ashok Khanna.
- The estate covers about 100 acres of sal forest near the Ganges, above Rishikesh, and a 2025 anniversary marked 25 years.
- Entry-level rooms start at 484 sq ft (45 m²).
History
Ananda in the Himalayas is set within the Palace Estate of the Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal in the small town of Narendra Nagar, in the Uttarakhand foothills above Rishikesh. The palace at the heart of the estate was built in the early twentieth century by Maharaja Narendra Shah of the princely state of Tehri Garhwal, who moved his capital here and named the new town after himself.
The former royal estate opened as Ananda around the turn of the millennium, blending the Viceregal Palace with a spa built around Ayurveda, yoga and Vedanta in the hills above Rishikesh.
The setting
25 km from Rajaji National Park. 30 km from Parmarth Niketan Hindu temple.
Restaurants and bars
- Ananda's signature restaurant (Restaurant Pavilion) — Restaurant · Finest Indian, Asian and other international cuisines
Experiences
- Mountain treks and nature walks — Daily and weekly guided treks at Ranichauri, Kashmouli or Kunjapuri with a personal guide.
- Wildlife safari at Rajaji National Park — Safari to see Asiatic wild elephants, leopards and more than 400 Himalayan bird species.
- White water rafting on the Ganges — Ganges rapids suitable for beginners and experienced adventurers.
- Temple tours and Ganga Arti — Temple tours and Ganga Arti on the Ganges banks, plus Mindrolling Monastery in Dehradun.
- Beatles Ashram tour — Tour of the Beatles Ashram near Rishikesh, called Chaurasi Kutiya.
- Ayurveda talks — Daily scheduled activity to expand knowledge of holistic wellbeing practices.
Amenities
- destination spa
- yoga
- wellness programmes
- pool
- fitness center
- Sauna
- Hammam
- Hot tub
- Golf course
- Butler service
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