LF Review: ★★★★.5
Atma naman. Over a stay at Swastik – A Luxury Wellbeing Sanctuary, that is the most frequently used word – one that all the staff use as a greeting every time they interact with a guest. At once a word designating respect and well being, it sets the tone for your stay and interactions at the retreat.
Swastik indeed seems to be blessed. Even for those who frequent wellness centres in India, a significant proportion of unlearning is perhaps the first order of business. For Swastik does things differently, and proudly wears its uniqueness as a badge of honour.
Conceptualized by Dr. Nitin Nyati, Chairman and Managing Director of Nyati Group, the luxurious retreat blends ancient, somewhat forgotten, wellness traditions with modern therapeutic practices, inviting ‘seekers’ (as those wishing to come here are referred as) to embark on a transformative journey that transcends the ordinary. “Our vision for Swastik is to create a space where individuals can rejuvenate and rediscover themselves in ways that extend beyond conventional wellness,” he says. “By integrating the timeless wisdom of Vedic traditions with modern wellness practices, Swastik offers a route to profound inner peace, balance, and harmony.”
Indeed, Swastik is imagined more as a platform where seekers and ‘masters’, those imparting the knowledge, come together to share and spread experiences. While Swastik has a significant number of inhouse therapists, including doctors, it also collaborates with a vast group of leading wellness and health institutes across the country, wherein experts from those centres come in to take limited terms classes, thus vastly enlarging the scope of knowledge a ‘seeker’ can get from time spent at Swastik.
For the regular visitor, just being in such an eco-friendly and scenic location enhances the pleasure of the rejuvenation process.
Nestled in the Peacock Valley, amidst the Sahyadris, it is located slightly south west of Pune, overlooking the calming Khadakwasla Dam lake. Swastik’s underlying assurance is to ensure you leave more rejuvenated, almost a new you. The topography of the 51-acre retreat adds considerably to its allure. A 30-metre gradient within the property means the property is spread over several undulating levels, defying the traditional categorisation of stories or levels. For the regular visitor, just being in such an eco-friendly and scenic location enhances the pleasure of the rejuvenation process.
Core elements
The resort is founded on a philosophy of five interwoven dimensions – Health, Wealth, Love, Bliss, and Spirituality – designed to bring balance and purpose to life. While ‘Health’ – the core of Swastik – is guided by Vedic principles, ‘Wealth’ focuses on personal growth and inner abundance rather than just material gain. ‘Love’ nurtures deep human connection, while ‘Bliss’ inspires joy and gratitude. Lastly, ‘Spirituality’ offers a path to self-alignment and mindfulness, helping guests explore their highest potential.
“At Swastik, we embrace a holistic approach to wellbeing that encompasses the essential dimensions of life,” says Anushree Nyati, Director of Swastik. “Our sanctuary guides each guest on a transformative journey, rejuvenating them in a holistic and profound way.”
Swastik offers personalized wellness journeys tailored to individual needs and life stages. There are different programmes that seekers can opt for. Discover Programs—starting from three nights—provide an introductory yet immersive wellness experience. Heal Programs, lasting seven nights or more, offer deeper therapeutic journeys, such as ‘Holistic Detox’ and ‘Panchakarma’, focusing on both body and soul.
For those seeking to cultivate long-term vitality, Empower Programmes like ‘Graceful Ageing’ and ‘Essence of Womanhood’ are designed to support life’s transitions. There are even yearly Signature Programs – such as ‘Acing Adolescence’ and ‘Roots & Relations’ – to strengthen family bonds and personal growth, offering seekers lasting support throughout the year.
While an initial consultation is the usual start to a stay, there are a significantly large number of options for the therapies that the inhouse residents suggest. My experience, right from the first consultation, was reaffirming, almost like being in a comforting womb, every need anticipated, every concern addressed.
Unsurprisingly, the food at Swastik is gluten-free, grain-free, and vegan. Rasa, the restaurant offers cuisine rooted in Naturopathic and Ayurvedic principles. With a core belief of ‘food as medicine’, it is no surprise then that the food is extremely well curated. Meals are served thrice a day, each perfectly tailored to the needs of the seekers.
For those attuned to a more spice and flavour-rich diet, the meals here might take some mental and taste adjustment, but then that is what most people visiting Swastik would look for – a diet that would help cleanse. For example, instead of sugar, Swastik only used jaggery or honey as sweeteners. Cold pressed oils, including virgin coconut oil, are the norm here. Arvind Joshi, the Executive Chef, is an ardent advocate of traditional superfoods, so expect to find them liberally used in dishes.
Design at the centre
The retreat is divided into vihars or zones, each dedicated to a specific aspect of wellness. While treatments are the core of a wellness, just about every visitor seems to be struck by the design. “By blending the ancient principles of Vastu Shastra with modern design, we have created spaces that harmonize with nature and the human spirit,” points out Manish Banker, principal at TAO Architecture and Chief Architect, Swastik.
The grace of the rolling contours of the valley are a rising source of energy for Swastik.
“Our architecture reflects the five-dimensional values that guide us toward peace. Each space, integrated with the five core elements, offers a unique experience to help individuals thrive and radiate these essential values. Swastik is an environment designed not only to comfort the body but to nourish the soul.”
The grace of the rolling contours of the valley are a rising source of energy for Swastik, according to Mr. Banker. “The design embraces through functional needs by uniting all five core elements, the Panch Mahabhutas – Earth, Air, Water, Fire, and Space, as the guiding force of its design.”
Dimensions of wellness
Each of the five vihars are tied to an element, and its design reflects that. Dhyan Vihar represents Space (Akash). It is dominated by a vast 11,000-square-feet meditation hall, Dhyan Mandir, and the Nakshatra Van (zodiac garden) for cosmic alignment.
Anand Vihar represents Fire (Agni). Offering a breathtaking view of Khadakwasla Lake, it is devoted to rejuvenation, is spread over several levels and is perhaps the core of Swastik. Ayu Vihar represents Air (Vayu). It offers holistic healing through Ayurveda, naturopathy, and alternative therapies, featuring therapy rooms, relaxation zones. Spread over several levels, the area includes a dedicated space for halotherapy, possibly the largest in the country.
Sukh Vihar represents the Earth (Bhumi). Comprising accommodation spaces – they defy any categorisation into terms such as rooms, suites or villas. At first glance, the cave-like structures look straight out of Hobbiton. Extremely spacious and luxurious, they are door-less, with curtains substituting instead. Built on a slope, they are the cynosure of those coming to the centre, with reason. Thirty six are operational at the moment, while a total of 64 are planned.
Indeed, the ‘rooms’, externally cave fronts, contain spacious living quarters within them, and are perhaps the most alluring part of the stay. Defying the definitions of a shape, no two suites are the same. All contours are flowing, giving the interiors a look that is at once cool and comforting. Beautifully adorned in pastels, the living area, dotted with tasteful furniture, from comfy sofas and chairs and even a work desk, it was uniquely pleasurable.
Ganga Vihar represents Water (Jal) and offers seekers the opportunity to explore yoga, music, dance, and more. There are also a number of outdoor spaces, part of the vihars, which can be experienced at any point. From the Anant Mandal (Reflexology Path) to the Sushumna Sthambh (a 54-ft tall and 27-ft wide sculpture signifying the important energy points of the body) to the Anand Kund (swimming pool overlooking the Peacock Valley), there are multiple spaces seekers can revel in.
The difference in design for each zone is apparent at the first glance itself. “Each one is meticulously identified with its own functional programme,” elaborates Mr. Banker. “Master planning of various blocks and activities is consciously designed to integrate the campus as a holistic entity for seekers and masters to explore various potential spaces within and without.”
For most people, a visit to Swastik would be for health reasons. For appreciators of design and architecture, this is an added bonus, a gentle homily on how good design can absolutely elevate the wellness experience. Swastik pushes the envelope in India for wellness and design in equal measure. Indeed, a salutation to the soul, the atman.
LF Review: ★★★★.5
Coordinates: Peacock Valley, NDA Rd, Khadakwasla, Kudje, Pune, Maharashtra, India
