Nirvana is just 48 hours away

When you fuse a relaxing massage with a weekend trip, you get a wellness vacation. Fiona Fernandez digs up 5 destinations, all under 5 hours away, where horse riding lessons, yoga by the river and oil massages compete to rejuvenate you in 2 days flat

When you fuse a relaxing massage with a weekend trip, you get a wellness vacation. Fiona Fernandez digs up 5 destinations, all under 5 hours away, where horse riding lessons, yoga by the river and oil massages compete to rejuvenate you in 2 days flat

For Yogic treatment and Steam baths
Kaivalyadhama, Lonavla

Established in 1924 by Swami Kuvalayananda, the Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute is for those in search of understanding this school of thought.

This globally renowned institute is equally famous for the Rugna Seva Mandir, a department devoted exclusively to the treatment of various diseases through yoga.



Here, yogic treatment is dispensed under medical supervision, and results assessed on scientific lines with the help of a research laboratory.

Today, a full-fledged Health Care Center exists along with Naturopathy and Ayurveda Centres.

Apart from the massage, sauna and steam baths, the mud treatment is its USP. Unadulterated mud from the surrounding hills is used for these sessions.

Rejuvenating Pranayam sessions are conducted by OP Tiwari, the Secretary of the institute and a student of Swami Kuvalayananda.

You are served a wholesome, balanced diet. The seven-day course begins every Sunday. Check the website for a detailed break-up of sessions and rate structure

At: Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute, Kaivalyadhama Ashram, Lonavla. Call: 02114273039 / 01 (ext: 118). Log on: https://www.kdham.com/

You pay: Rs 500 onwards (inclusive of accommodation, prescribed Naturopathy Sessions, lectures, meditation session and discussions, access to the internal library and yoga sessions)

To reach: By road - Mumbai: 120 km; nearest railway station - Lonavla, the auto fare is
Rs 30 up to the Ashram. The Ashram provides pick-up from Mumbai.

For fancy Spa Therapy
Zoia Mountain Spa & Resort, Panvel

Set up five years ago, this swish retreat was previously owned by Apollo Hospitals.

Currently leased to the Zoia Group, it emphasises on holistic health by offering Wellness Vacations to suit your time (a single day to 14-day packages).

"It is the home of the Aikya Academy (Sanskrit: harmony), which believes in the harmony of life using yoga, meditation, a balanced diet, and healthy lifestyle," says founder Dr Rajesh Srinivas.

It claims to be India's first Wellness Academy that offers yoga, Ayurveda and naturopathy courses.

Dr Srinivas believes that its varied state-of-the-art specialised packages including those for spa therapy and corporate training programs make it a great option for a weekend getaway.

Check its website for detailed break-up of its programs.

At: Thakurwadi Road, Wardoli village, off Shedung Phata, old Mumbai-Pune Highway, Panvel. Call: 69525666 / 9920540777. Log on: https://www.zoiaresorts.com/

You pay: Wellness Vacation Packages begin from Rs 3,000 for per day sessions.
To reach: By road - Mumbai: 45 km; nearest railway station - Neral: 17 km

For riding lessons, Yoga and British mansion stay
Fleetwood Cottage, Matheran

Built in 1871, Fleetwood Cottage belonged to British officers stationed in Matheran. It later passed into the hands of a certain Mr Latif, the then High Commissioner to Pakistan.

Post Partition, in 1956, the Nihalani's acquired it from him, in exchange for their property in Pakistan. Since then, this 5-acre property has been their weekend home.

Last year, Deepesh Nihalani, the third generation owner decided to open it up as a home stay. A spacious 4,000 sq. feet villa can accommodate up to 12 occupants, and a smaller cottage (it can house five guests).
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From home cooked meals by local caterers (Maharashtrian/Gujarati) and non-vegetarians to horseback riding sessions (their stables house four horses) conduced by a resident instructor, it's all for the taking.

A yoga instructor will drop by if you wish to soothe those jangled nerves.

"Mornings can be peaceful; you wake up to the chirping of birds," says Deepak. The family's love affair with horses is known in these parts, making their sessions a huge draw.

At: One Tree Hill, Matheran. Call: 9820502326 / 9767817898. Log on: https://www.fleetwoodhouse.com/

You pay: Villa: Rs 1,750 per person (inclusive of accomodation, all meals, tea), minimum of 6 people for occupancy; Cottage: Rs 1,500 per person, minimum of 2 people for occupancy (inclusive of accomodation, all meals, tea)

To reach: By road - Mumbai:
100 km; nearest railway station - Neral: 17 km.



For relief from Aches and pains
Dr Modi's Retreat, Karjat

Osteopath Dr Krishna Murari Modi may not have imagined that his brainchild would become a trendsetting phenomenon, a sanctuary for tired and weary city folk. He chucked his successful medical practice to start this resort in 1998.

Today, despite several five-star options, the resort draws in a large chunk of Mumbai and Pune travellers.
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Spread across 50 acres, the resort which carries a stamp of simplicity, specialises in treating pains through natural remedies.

Dr Modi and his team of consultants oversee a range of treatments across osteopathy, naturopathy, yoga and nature cure. Emphasis is in diet monitoring, massages, chromotherapy, mud therapy, and hydrotherapy.
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"While most guests come here to get treated, there is a steady stream of city folk who want to escape urban stress for a few days," he says.

The health and wellbeing programmes focus on pain management, relaxation and de-stressing.

A swimming pool, Jacuzzi, steam and sauna, jogging track, vegetarian restaurant, treatment centres and well-kept rooms (AC/ Non AC) form part of its quiet, old-fashioned environs.

At: Post Kirauli, Wanjale village, Karjat, Raigad. Call: 2148222316 / 9820060865. Log on: https://www.drmodisresorts.com/

You pay: American Plan: Rs 3,500 per day; Health Package (min 5 days / meals and therapy inclusive): Rs 2,200 per day. Group bookings for single day occupancy are also offered.

To reach: By road - Mumbai: 80 km; nearest railway station:
Karjat (East)u00a0- 2 km.

For Mud pack therapy and Ashram stay
Nisargopchar Ashram, Pune

This Ashram upholds Mahatma Gandhi's vision on nature's way of curing.

Started by the Mahatma on April 1, 1946, Nisargopchar Ashram Naturopathy Centre offers a holistic approach to treat chronic diseases like arthritis, cardio vascular diseases, diabetes, bronchitis, skin diseases, asthma, digestive and gynecological problems, neuromuscular disorders and obesity through nature cure.

Daily lectures on nature cure principles, dietetics and yoga are arranged to share the importance of the laws of nature.



With a capacity to house 200 patients every day, the ashram offers massages, arm and hipbaths, sunbaths, steam baths, spinal baths, acupressure, acupuncture, yoga and mudpack therapy.

At: Uralikanchan, off Pune-Solapur National Highway, Pune District. Call: 02026926298 / 30. Log on: https://www.nisargopcharashram.org/

You pay: Room rents begin from Rs 110 to Rs 250 (non-attached restrooms) or Rs 300 to Rs 650 (with attached restrooms) per day per head occupancy.

To reach: By roadu00a0- Mumbai: 150 km; nearest railway station - Pune.

If you have the luxury of 10 days Global Vipassana Centre, GORAI

The Dhamma Pattana Vipassana Centre (Harbour of Dhamma) is a unique mediation centre in Gorai, in Mumbai's outskirts. Situated in a scenic setting atop a hill, overlooking the sea, this centre offers Mumbaikars an experience of the Vipassana way of life. Located inside the majestic Global Pagoda complex, it is home to treasured relics of the Buddha. The Pagoda here, Asia's largest, rises to 325 feet and can house up to 10,000 people. Designed with an air-conditioned Dhamma hall, A/C individual rooms, projection screen and equipment, it provides for every modern amenity to ensure that the ten-day stay at the centre is a comfortable one. Log on to https://www.pattana.dhamma.org for detailed information about this course