Every New Year arrives loaded with resolutions, intentions, and an unspoken pressure to begin again, better, and faster. This time, though, what we wanted was not momentum but pause. After months of packed schedules, screen fatigue, and constant noise, our first trip of the year needed to feel restorative, not exciting. That search led us to Raga Svara, a luxury wellness retreat in Rajkot, Gujarat, where wellness is not treated as a trend but a way of living.
The Shift Begins Before Arrival
The journey itself felt like a transition. A rushed airport meal, a short flight that passed almost unnoticed, and then, unexpectedly, green landscapes unfolding below us. Our earlier memories of Gujarat had been shaped by dry, sunbaked terrain, so this lushness felt quietly symbolic, like the year easing us into something gentler.
We had a driver waiting to pick us up. A short countryside drive later, we were welcomed onto the serene grounds of Raga Svara. The setting was truly breathtaking, and the on-ground staff were exceptionally warm, welcoming, and quietly supportive, making the transition from travel to retreat feel effortless. From the very first interaction, there was a sense of care that made us feel immediately at ease. Stepping into Raga Svara felt like entering an alternate realm.
After a formal welcome, we were led to Anuraga, the reception at the boutique luxury retreat, where we were initiated as Raga Nivasis—invited to greet each morning with purpose and to conclude each day in reflection. We were given journals to pour our deepest thoughts into, gently nudged toward a digital detox, and introduced to maun vrat (silent meditation).
In a world that rewards constant expression, silence felt like a relief.
Eating with Awareness
Next was lunch at Samskara, the retreat’s restaurant set amid landscaped greenery, which quietly set the tone. Small signboards reminded us to chew slowly and eat mindfully. There was a detox drink, dosha-specific buttermilk, warm curries, leafy rotis, dal that tasted like comfort, and a bottle gourd dessert that surprised us by being genuinely good.
Nothing felt restrictive. This wasn’t about denying pleasure. It was about noticing it.
Listening to the Body Again
What I personally appreciated most was the care and attention the team at Raga Svara extends to every guest. Our wellness journey began with a thoughtful consultation with the in-house Ayurvedic doctor, who assessed our prakriti and crafted a personalised treatment plan. At Prakriti, the spa space, we experienced Sarvanga Abhyanga—a full-body massage with warm, medicated oils that left us deeply relaxed and almost weightless. The day gently unfolded into a calming meditation session at Antara, the serene in-house yoga centre, where the stillness was so profound that even a cat’s soft footsteps or the drop of a pin felt audible.
Our Megh Suite, named after Raga Bhatiyar, came with a handwritten note that read, “My soul honours your soul.” The private verandah, wrapped in greenery, quickly became our favourite place to sip herbal tea, sit without distraction, and let the day settle. Soft music played, but even that felt optional. Time moved differently here.
Nature, Movement, and Morning Calm
The days that followed unfolded slowly. Shastik Shali Pinda Swedan, a therapy using warm rice and milk, eased long-held stiffness. Recently, Raga Svara also launched its Healthy Ageing Retreat. Designed to empower guests to embrace ageing with vitality, balance, and inner resilience, the retreat goes far beyond conventional “anti-ageing” approaches. It offers an integrative, science-backed, and comprehensive wellness experience. As part of this, we experienced Shirodhara again—a deeply calming therapy in which a steady stream of medicated oil is poured over the forehead to relax the nervous system and improve sleep quality.
Mornings began with walks across dew-covered lawns, breathing in petrichor and birdsong. Spread across 25 acres, Raga Svara feels carefully designed yet alive. Herbal gardens, shaded trails, and open lawns invite movement without urgency. Yoga sessions focused on foundational asanas and breathing practices—simple, yes, but deeply grounding.
Almost by accident, we discovered Bodhi, an underground meditation chamber. Its silence was profound. Sitting there, listening to the echo of a single “Om,” felt like resetting the nervous system in real time.
A Gentle Goodbye
Our final morning breakfast felt celebratory yet light. Perhaps the most miraculous magic of our stay was a complete digital detox—our phones and laptops didn’t even get a second glance, as if our minds had quietly staged a coup against technology.
Raga Svara is not about transformation in the dramatic sense. It offers something far quieter: a gentle recalibration. As we stepped into the New Year, it felt less like starting over and more like returning to ourselves—steadier, calmer, and better equipped for whatever lay ahead. We would love to come back again; Raga Svara gave us a beautifully peaceful start to the year.