Spiritual Sojourns: Stay Luxuriously In India's Spiritual Towns

My parents love travelling to spiritual destinations. Every year, they plan at least one trip to a holy or sacred town. While it¡¯s fairly easy to plan a spiritual sojourn to any of India¡¯s several holy places, they always struggle with finding a good place to stay.

For this reason, I have taken it upon myself to research and find the most luxurious hotels and homestays in some of India¡¯s most popular spiritual destinations. These one-of-a-kind properties are steeped in luxury and offer impeccable service. They provide their guests with easy access to spiritual landmarks. Additionally, these hotels and homestays also offer delectable local delicacies and global comfort food.

Here¡¯s a guide to the seven best Indian homestays and boutique hotels in holy destinations. Bookmark this guide for your next spiritual sojourn!

1. The Ahilya Fort Heritage Hotel, Maheshwar

Ahilya Fort general view from drone

A Maratha fort, this quaint hotel is located on the banks of the tranquil Narmada River. A two-hour drive from Indore, the property was built in the 18th century by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar. Currently, Ahilya Fort houses 19 elegant guest rooms, each with a distinctive personality, in six separate buildings. Maheshwar is well-known for its spiritual significance and its many temples and ghats. The hotel organises excursions to the nearby Ahilyeshwar, Baneshwar, Mahakaleshwar, and Omkareshwar temples.

¡°What makes Ahilya Fort unique is that it's not just a heritage hotel, it¡¯s a home steeped in 250 years of history, in the spirituality, peace, and calm of Maheshwar, and the energy of the River Narmada. These are things that you experience quite uniquely here, while you are surrounded by beauty, eating delicious food, and being treated to the highest level of homestyle hospitality. This is what makes Ahilya Fort quite unique,¡± said Prince Yeshwantrao, Partner, Ahilya Experiences.

Price: ?35,000 onwards

2. CGH Earth - SwaSwara, Gokarna

SwaSwara,-Gokarna

SwaSwara is situated in Gokarna, a small temple town in Karnataka, in southern India. Lord Shiva, to whom Gokarna¡¯s main temple¡ªMahabaleshwara, is dedicated, is the most worshipped deity in the town. SwaSwara is a beach property comprising 24 Konkan villas, which were constructed using local materials such as laterite and coconut thatch. The hotel offers guests a unique living experience amidst nature. SwaSwara¡¯s expert team curates spiritual excursions to the Gokarna¡¯s temples. Furthermore, visitors can participate in yoga sessions, nature walks, bird-watching trails and interactive cooking workshops.

Price: ?25,700 onwards

3. SaffronStays Solana, Rishikesh

SaffronStays Solana

SaffronStays Solana is located in Rishikesh, a mystical city nestled amidst the foothills of the Himalayas. A 40-minute drive from the Jolly Grant Airport, the property is a well-appointed three-bedroom villa offering panoramic vistas of the snow-capped Himalayas. Along with aesthetically pleasing interiors, the homestay features a well-landscaped garden, numerous balconies and an outdoor pool. Visitors can meditate on the banks of the Ganges, attend a puja ceremony, practice yoga at nearby ashrams and visit historic temples and spiritual landmarks.

¡°SaffronStays Solana in Rishikesh is one rare gem. It offers the most gorgeous sunrise views, tranquillity, and an abundance of peace. This is one of the very few luxurious properties in Rishikesh that faces the Ganges and opens up to the entire vista of Rishikesh city. Every sight at this place is a sight to behold,¡± added Devendra Parulekar, Founder of SaffronStays.

??Price: ?36,000 onwards

4. Ananda in the Himalayas, Narendra Nagar

Ananda in the Himalayas. PC-Chris Caldicott

Formerly the residence of the Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal, Ananda in the Himalayas is a Relais & Ch?teaux property that provides guests with a regal stay. Perched in the Himalayan foothills, encompassed by verdant Sal forests, this hotel is one of the most opulent hotels in the world. Visitors can partake in the Ganga Aarti or visit the nearby spiritual landmarks, which include the Radha Krishna Mandir, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple and Vashishta Gufa. Guests can also indulge in wellness sessions such as Ayurvedic therapies, yogic detox, Dhyana meditation, and weight and stress management. Moreover, the hotel offers thoughtful service and delicious yet healthy food.

Price: ?36,000 onwards

5. Aashraya by Hushstays, Amola

Aashraya by Hushstays.Copy of ?MananSodhi_8

If you¡¯re looking for a quiet stay amidst nature, opt for Aashraya by Hushstays in Amola, a charming village in Uttarakhand, which has been a centre of spiritual experiences for centuries. Amola is home to several ashrams and temples and is also visited for its natural beauty and calming atmosphere. At Aashraya by Hushstays, guests can choose from three independent cottages named after various titles given to the Ganges River, a tribute to its many facets. They can also opt for a fourth, exclusive one-bedroom cottage away from the rest, aptly named ¡®Lover¡¯s Pond.¡¯

¡°Perched on a ridge right next to the Ganges river and in the midst of a foothill forest, Hushstay x Aashraya is a hideaway like no other. The sweeping, turquoise river view is the star attraction of this place, a visual feast laid out from every other corner of this hideout. A 45 km drive from Rishikesh and a three-kilometre hike gets you to this exclusive retreat, rewarding you with paradise upon arrival,¡± mentioned Ishank Ahuja, Co-Founder of Hushstays.

Price: ?11,000 onwards

6. The Westin Resort & Spa Himalayas, Narendra Nagar

The Westin Himalayas

Situated near Rishikesh, this luxe mountain retreat boasts awe-inspiring vistas of the Himalayas. The Westin Resorts & Spa organises a range of spiritual experiences and wellness offerings for its guests. The wellness offerings include yoga sessions at nearby yoga schools and Ayurvedic treatments at the in-house spa. The spiritual experiences comprise visiting the closeby temples, shrines and ashrams.

¡°Our establishment provides a unique opportunity for guests to unwind and revitalise amidst the serene ambience of the Himalayas, complemented by spiritual experiences designed to nourish both the mind and body. At our hotel, we believe in curating a holistic wellness experience, encouraging our patrons to embrace the natural splendour and tranquillity that surrounds us,¡± remarked Amardeep Singh, General Manager, The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas.

Price: ?31,500 onwards

7. Pilibhit House, Haridwar ¨C IHCL SeleQtions

Pilibhit House

A century-old aristocratic home, Pilibhit House has been meticulously restored. This luxury hotel sits charmingly by the Ganges overlooking the glorious Shivalik Himalayas. The heritage residence houses the largest private bathing ghat in the region for the customary dip and some quiet moments with the river. In addition to unwinding at the hotel, guests can explore Haridwar with a guide, visit the famed Har ki Pauri for the Ganges Aarti, take a trip to Rajaji National Park, or embark on a temple tour with an expert.