1. Home
2. 
3. Wellness
4. 
6. 
7. I Went to a Wellness Retreat in Pushkar—Here’s How It Changed My Perspective

Ananta Resort & Spa, Pushkar, hosted Ananta Awakens, an immersive two-day wellness retreat complete with sattvic meals, yoga and spiritual sessions — and here’s how it all unfolded.

The glamour of city life slowly faded as I drove deeper into the foothills of Rajasthan’s western Aravalli Hills. A town born of myth, full of history, and perfumed with roses, I arrived in Pushkar, one of the oldest cities in India. A place where you don’t just travel to explore but to pause, reconnect with Mother Nature, and awaken something deeper within the soul. Drawn by the promise of this awakening, I made my way to Ananta Resort and Spa for the Ananta Awakens Experience: a two-day journey of immersive healing, spiritual grounding, and wellness in a transformative light.

Upon arriving at the hotel, I was quite eager to tick off all the boxes in my wellness itinerary but was pleasantly surprised by how relaxed and at ease I felt by just being there. Why? It could be the Balinese-inspired architecture, the gentle sound of water flowing, the green surroundings or the constant ‘OM’ chant echoing throughout the property. 

Food has always been more than sustenance — it’s energy, healing and an important pillar of wellness. With that intention, I was happily whisked away to ‘Oasis’, the all-day diner of the hotel, to have a traditional Rajasthani thali. The chef tells me that it is their representation of ‘Sattvic Bhojan’ — a pure, plant-based vegetarian diet which nourishes the body, mind and soul. The thali, a 5-course meal, included dishes like Kesar Kaju Curry, Kashifal Sabzi, and Rajputana Curry (a Rajasthani potato and onion curry). For the ‘Prashadam’ or desserts, I had the most famous desserts of Rajasthan – Malpua and Gulab ke Laddu – and let’s just say I devoured it all!

As the day unfolded, I headed to an hour-long yoga session dressed in breezy, conscious clothing by Eccentric. The session focused on gentle stretches, breathwork, and mindfulness. Following yoga, we transitioned to high tea, where we were handed a canvas for our art therapy session. Our therapist guided us to create mandalas and at first, my lack of artistic skill had me staring blankly at the canvas, unsure of where to begin. But as I gave in to the process, I ended up drawing and painting for nearly two and a half hours! Though my hand was tired by the end, my mind felt lighter, calmer, and surprisingly focused. That night, dinner was a regal affair with delicious food and Rajasthani folk music and dances.

Mornings here meant waking up to the sounds of nature—most notably, the calls of peacocks—contrary to the annoying sound of my alarms! The day began on a refreshing note with an aqua yoga and a meditation session. After a hearty breakfast, Ananta reminded me about the gift of unstructured time. No sessions, no plans—just space. And sometimes, that’s the most powerful tool of wellness. I found a quiet spot by the expansive pool, pulled out a book I hadn’t touched in weeks, and simply read. In that moment, I felt most aligned—with myself and with what wellness is truly meant to feel like. We also could try the Tattva spa and indulge in therapies like the Kansa Glow Face Massage, the Herbal Potli Massage, the Pushkar Royal Ritual and more. Post that, I found myself salivating over nourishing and healthy soul bowls. The options included a colourful and flavourful Buddha bowl, the grain-based Mediterranean bowl, and the Japanese rice bowl — Yasai Donburi.

Anyone who has visited Pushkar knows the spiritual energy the town evokes. In keeping with that spirit, we attended a deeply insightful session with a spiritual guru, who shared how the wisdom of our scriptures continues to hold relevance in today’s modern world and how we can practically integrate those values. From there, we made our way to one of Pushkar’s 52 sacred ghats to witness the evening aarti—a powerful ritual that brought the day to a truly grounding close.

We returned to the property for a candlelight dinner. Interestingly, those very candles found a second purpose later that night during a Tratak session—an ancient yogic practice of candle gazing used for eye cleansing, mental clarity, and emotional stillness.

On our final morning at Ananta Resort and Spa, Pushkar, we made a stop at the Deer Park, where we saw monkeys, cows, boars and, of course, multiple deer. Feeding the spotted deer and watching them move gracefully reminded me just how healing simple moments in nature can be. From there, we visited the Brahma Temple, one of the only temples in the world dedicated to Lord Brahma.

On my way back to Delhi, all I could think about was how rare it is to find a space that allows you to fully disconnect from the noise and reconnect with yourself. With brand partners like The Bare Bar, Tattva Spa, Eccentric, Soul Works, and BodhShala, the experience at Ananta felt holistic and grounded. Perhaps it’s the energy of Pushkar; perhaps it’s the way Ananta understands the deeper layers of wellness—not as a trend, but as a way of life. Either way, I left feeling lighter, quieter, and far more aligned than when I arrived. And really, isn’t that what a true wellness journey should do?