In today's fast-paced environment, it is crucial to take the time to slow down and reconnect with oneself. Swastik Wellbeing serves as an important reminder of this necessity. Located in the serene surroundings of Peacock Valley in Khed, Pune, it offers a refreshing escape from the urban landscape.
Driving away from Pune’s urban metropolis, the landscape morphs into all things green. As you approach Swastik Wellbeing, the verdant forests, and the backwaters of the Khadakwasla dam transport you to another world. Upon arrival, a sprawling green expanse welcomes you, enveloping you in tranquillity and a profound sense of calm. A vacation at Swastik Wellbeing means you can immerse yourself in personalized experiences designed to help you live a purpose-driven life. The focus is on five core dimensions: Health, Wealth, Love, Bliss, and Spirituality.
Luxe Getaway
As my car pulled into the driveway, I was welcomed by the team with a unique ritual where I rang a bell standing on a large metal bowl. I was told that the vibration released from the sound-induced positive vibes for a good start. A traditional aarti and a sandalwood bead bracelet were part of the welcome before I was led to my beautiful room, called the guha.
Designed like a modern-day cave, these are akin to hobbit homes and come with all modern-day luxuries. The best part is that all guests have a hand band that can be used to unlock the room. The two-level room exudes a colour palette of soothing hues of beige and cream, while cushion covers and artefacts add a pop of colour. The lower level includes a living space, wardrobe, and bath area, while the upper level contains the bedroom, furnished with an orthopedic bed. With a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor living, the room also boasts a veranda with a swing that overlooks the pristine views of the valley.
Integrated Wellness
Swastik Wellbeing takes holistic wellness seriously and has based its value proposition on five pillars - health, wealth, love, bliss, and spirituality. What sets this retreat apart from other resorts is its comprehensive focus on well-being across these five dimensions, addressing the body, mind, and soul. To help detox the body, the resort offers practices like Ayurveda, Naturopathy and Vastis among others. At the heart of this holistic health journey is personalisation. Guests receive a customised program called ‘dincharya,’ or daily calendar, designed specifically for you by the in-house doctor. This program integrates different wellness practices based on individual conditions, determined through questions about lifestyle and health status. From spa sessions to daily activities, Swastik Wellbeing champions a holistic approach to wellness, ensuring a unique and personalized experience for every guest.
Epicurean Delights
The vegetarian meals at Swastik are crafted under the supervision of Executive Chef Arvind Joshi, who ensures that each dish is not only healthy but also delicious. Served at the in-house restaurant, Rasa, and the alfresco area, Sama, the food adheres to a farm-to-table philosophy that emphasizes clean, heart-healthy, and natural ingredients, promoting a mindful eating experience.
At Swastik Wellbeing, the focus is on nutrition and calorie management. Every meal begins with a short prayer and lunch and dinner consist of a portioned five-course meal. The meal includes a salad, a starter, soup, a main course, and dessert. The daily menu also specifies the kcal, fat, carbohydrates, protein, and fibre content of each dish. Some of the dishes that I sampled include the Garden Veggies Tossed In Cashew Lemon Dressing, served in a ceramic owl with edible flowers - making it a riot of colour that tasted as good as it looked. The Beetroot Roulade is another interesting salad that has swirls of soft creamy mixture wrapped in a pink beetroot wrap and topped with micro greens. The Spinach & Cottage Cheese Ravioli with Creamy Pesto Sauce is a melange of flavours with the ravioli assembled on a bed of pesto topped with blanched vegetables and micro greens. The pink-hued ravioli interestingly stands out against the bright green pesto.
Every meal starts with a short prayer. All foods are clearly labelled to indicate the presence of nuts, dairy, gluten, or if they are vegan, sugar-free, or raw. The best part is that there are no preservatives used and there is no deep frying done in the kitchen, you can trust me when I say you will not miss it. Using cooking techniques like braising, steaming, poaching, and grilling at the correct temperature, the ingredients retain their natural flavour and colour.
The Wellbeing Factor
After nurturing your gut and mind, it’s time to focus on your physical body. Swatik Wellbeing offers a range of therapies designed to detoxify, rejuvenate, and restore balance, including Swedish massage, Lomi Lomi, Deep Tissue, Hydrotherapy, Mud Therapy, and Ayurvedic treatments. Their Swastik Signature Massages are custom-designed therapies that combine ancient healing practices with modern techniques, aimed at restoring energy and providing deep relaxation.
Each individual receives a personalized program tailored to their needs, with a plan aimed at achieving measurable results. There is also a focus on emotional wellbeing by conducting sessions like the detoxing negative emotions workshop that help guests focus on their internal healing as well. Mornings begin with the ‘Agni Hotra’ a purification ritual, which involves lighting a fire in a copper pot and offering ghee and rice into the fire, aimed at reducing stress and purifying the environment. The Dhyan Vihar is the place where the yoga and meditation sessions are conducted and is complete with the Aaram (Tea Lounge) and Vishram (Relaxation Room). The Purvam (Pre-therapy Room) has locker and changing facilities, sauna baths, and foot rituals, while the Pashcham (Post-therapy Room) has a steam bath, hot pool, cold pool, and ice bucket shower. Navam (Massage Room) offers a range of Western massage therapies and Ayuram (Ayurvedic therapy Room) offers traditional ancient Ayurvedic therapies. A must-try when you are here is the halotherapy at Lavanam (Salt Cave), a space where you can inhale micronized salt particles for skin and respiratory health. At the end of your day, opt for a deeply relaxing foot massage right on your bed, ensuring a soothing conclusion to your experience.
Why Go
A visit to Swastik Wellbeing is all about reconnecting with yourself, in ways that you have probably forgotten. Ask yourself when you laughed wholeheartedly, and you probably will be inspired to make this trip. My key takeaway was how easy it is to make simple changes in your life and implement them effectively every day to reap the benefits of wellbeing. As a space that is never too preachy and yet balances its five dimensions perfectly, Swastik is all about taking the resolution of a new you this year. With varied programs that last from one day to several days, there are different packages that you can opt for. When are you going?
Address: Peacock Valley, Kudje, NDA Road, Khadakwasla, Pune, Maharashtra, India - 411023
Call: +918956927174
Whatsapp: +918956927174
*Villa and Suite rates start at ₹60,000 plus GST on double occupancy inclusive of wellness meals and therapies.
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