As Ananda in the Himalayas marks its 25th anniversary in 2025, this pioneering luxury wellness retreat continues to establish leadership in integrating ancient Indian wellness practices and authentic international techniques. Nestled in the Himalayan foothills, Ananda in the Himalayas continues to evolve, embracing innovative technologies and deepening its commitment to holistic well-being.
Celebrating 25 Years
Founder Ashok Khanna highlights Ananda’s journey and vision: “I envisioned creating a sanctuary for holistic well-being. Ananda’s integrated approach addresses every aspect of a person—spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical—resonating deeply with our core ethos. A vital element of Ananda’s success has been its people. Every member of our staff is chosen for their understanding of and commitment to the Ananda philosophy of wellness in addition to their skills. As the next chapter begins, carrying with us the lessons of the past, a deep respect for our roots, and an enduring dedication to transformation, we look forward to fostering well-being for years to come.”
Recent Innovations in Wellness
Pioneering Integrated Healing Practices
In recent years, Ananda has made significant strides in enhancing its wellness offerings. The expanded approach incorporates Traditional Chinese Medicine, Physiotherapy, and Emotional Healing creating a comprehensive healing ecosystem and wellness experience.
Enhancing Women’s Health
Ananda’s dedication to holistic care has led to ground-breaking work in women’s health including fertility, menopause, and menstrual health, addressing crucial aspects of well-being often overlooked in traditional wellness programs.
Tackling Modern Lifestyle Challenges
Responding to the growing tide of lifestyle related health concerns, Ananda has developed targeted programs to address chronic ailments such as Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases, Chronic respiratory issues, sleep disorders and skin conditions.
Spiritual Awareness and Immersion
Ananda has enhanced its offerings to deepen guests’ spiritual experiences including sound healing practices, mantra chanting, and expanded spiritual studies with specialized workshops incorporating wisdom from ancient traditions.
Personalized Wellness Journeys
Ananda has made noteworthy advancements in elevating its wellness offerings. In 2024, the retreat underwent a significant digital transformation with a 360° wellness management system. This innovation allows for more personalized and evidence-based wellness journeys.
Founder Ashok Khanna’s daughter and Executive Director, Ananda in the Himalayas, Aashica Khanna says, “What has really changed in a big way is the depth and focus of what we offer now. Today, our programs are comprehensive and deeply immersive, with stays lasting between 2 weeks to sometimes 2 months. Diagnostics have become a core part of our approach to ensure that our offerings are evidence-based and outcome-driven. What I am most proud of is how we have extended our role in our clients’ wellness journeys. With year-round consultations and follow-ups, we have moved beyond being just a retreat to becoming an integral part of their well-being process.”
Future Directions
Chief Operating Officer, Ananda in the Himalayas, Mahesh Natarajan notes, “By harmoniously blending timeless traditions with enabling tools and technologies, we aim to redefine the future of wellness, ensuring that every guest experiences a transformative journey tailored to their unique needs. The three future directions which will define our evolution are:
- Deepening Ancient Wisdom: Intensify research and application of traditional Indian sciences. Introduce classical yogic lifestyle development and integrating rare aspects of ancient wellness traditions, such as Ayurvedic Vajikarana for fertility enhancement.
- Evidence-Based Innovation: Dedicated research team to study the efficacy of wellness protocols. Partner with research institutions and implement health monitoring technologies to validate and improve wellness program assessments methodology.
- Personalized Wellness Journeys: Evolve the Ananda Wellbeing App to provide comprehensive year-round wellness care, coaching, and guidance. Invest in technologies to improve data analysis and wellness outcome tracking.”
