Team PlushEscapes was very fortunate to spend a few days at Naad Wellness and are we delighted to share this one-of-a-kind experience with you!
After a short drive into the countryside from Gurgaon, we checked in around 7pm. The staff gave us a ceremonious welcome where our hands were cleansed followed by an aarti ceremony and were taken into the lobby. Entering the building we’re served a watermelon and mint juice and after we’ve completed our check-in formalities, we’re shown our rooms and given white kurta-pajamas to wear during our stay.
7:30PM: After changing into our kurta-pajamas, we go to the dining hall, we’re excited to see what dinner will be – course 1 is a yummy soup and course 2 is moong dal khichdi, which may sound simple but was finger-licking good.
9:00PM: We have to be up really early tomorrow morning so we’re off to bed. Good night.
Day 2:
6:00 AM: Good morning! Even though we’ve woken up much earlier than usual, we’re feeling super fresh and really excited for the day to unfold. Heading out for a morning walk to explore the property; we’re not that far removed from the city yet it’s so different from what we’re used to – there are no honking cars but instead we’re greeted by the sweet cooing of peacocks and we’re sure even the air smells sweeter.
7:00 AM: After our stroll, we head over to the yoga studio which is tucked away in a corner of the building and offers a very relaxing view of the plants growing in the reflexology track and two little fountains which add to the peace and quiet, setting the right tone for our session. We begin our class with our instructor Kavita teaching us basic breathing and stretching exercises to prepare our bodies for the coming classes.
8:30 AM: For the first meal of the day we have a delicious fruit bowl, followed by ‘moong dal chilla’ served with coconut chutney and since they don’t serve coffee or regular tea, we were offered a selection of herbal teas like lemongrass, ginger and ginger – turmeric tea. After our cup of tea we head to the consultation centre to meet with the doctors.
10:00 AM: The doctors are incredibly knowledgeable and after thoroughly understanding our daily routine and lifestyle, they advise us on the little changes we can make to our habits to lead a healthier life. They prepare the itinerary for our stay and request us to change into the bathrobes in our room and prepare for our first therapy.
12:00PM: Our first therapy is the Abhyanga which involves massaging the whole body with warm medicated oil, there are three different types of oil used on the hair, face and body. The therapy begins with the masseuse blessing the oil and rubbing a little bit on our face, head and knees. The Abhyanga aids in eliminating unwanted toxins, while stimulating lymphatic and arterial circulation and restores the flow of vital energy throughout the body.
13:00PM: We head to the steam room to let the oil be absorbed into our pores and after we head back to our rooms to relax.
2:00PM: It’s lunch time and we head to the dining hall to see what the chef has prepared for us. The first thing served is pea and broccoli soup and we’re left licking our spoons for more. The second course is roti, yellow lentil and gourd, and a bowl of bamboo rice. After lunch we might head back to our rooms for a nap.
4:00PM: Our second therapy included a visit to the Himalayan Salt Cave. The therapy is uncomplicated and simply requires us to sit in the salt cave and inhale the soothing vapours of Himalayan Salt. What we love about this therapy room is that there is a tree like structure made from salt and the salt has also been used as cement between the tiles.
6:00PM: After leaving the salt cave, we stop by the dining hall for another cup of our new favourite ginger-turmeric tea and watch the sun set into the distance.
7:30 PM: For dinner course 1 is a vegetable salad, course 2 is a lentil soup and course 3 is dosa stuffed with beets, carrots and onions along with peanut sauce and tomato chutney. After such a filling meal, we take another stroll under the moonlight and fall asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow.
Day 3
7:00AM: We start our day with our yoga class but today instead of conducting it in the studio, Kavita decided it was too beautiful a day to not practice yoga in the gardens by the pavilion. She taught us many asanas to address different problems like stiff necks, bad posture and backaches and as people who lead a somewhat sedentary life, it was a very informative class. She also taught us some asanas we could do while seated in the office. We could feel the bad/negative energy leave our body and be replaced by positive and healing vibrations.
8:30AM: Meals here have to be our favourite, hands down! The food here is simple but so delicious, we definitely need to learn the recipes. We’re served a fruit bowl consisting of the sweetest mangoes, cherries, papayas and more. On further enquiring, we’re told that they source all their produce from neighbouring local farms. After that, we’re served a yummy bowl of quinoa salad.
10:30AM:Our first therapy for the day is Shirodhara – oil, milk or buttermilk is poured continuously over the forehead while simultaneously massaging the head to reduce stress and tension.
12:00PM: We have never felt so relaxed! We enjoy a cup of ginger-turmeric tea and have a quick chat with the chef about the benefits of this combination, if we were to begin listing the benefits we would have to dedicate an entire blog to discuss just that. The chef also tells us how we can prepare this amazing meals at home.
2:00PM: For lunch today, we had a bowl of lentil soup, a yummy corn salad and for main course we ate rotis, bamboo rice and ladyfingers along with dal – nutritious and rich in protein, just what the doctor ordered (quite literally)!
5:00PM: After our visit to the Turkish Hammam,we’re in a definite need of a nap.
7:30PM: Our last dinner here is a gastronomic delight as we’ve come to expect from chef. Now after a leisurely stroll, we must head to bed.
Day 4:
After a filling breakfast, we’re leaving with a heavy heart. Don’t really want to go back to the crazy city but we’re incredibly thankful to the Naad Wellness team for their amazing hospitality and for making our stay so wonderful.
Can’t wait to visit this retreat again, till next time guys, adieu!
PlushEscapes Editor
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