Satvik Vicky Chotai comment continued..
After a relaxing overnight train from New Delhi , we arrived at Bhimtal on an overcast morning. Having been met by a friendly taxi driver (arranged by The Satvik) we avoided the usual chaos of finding someone who knew where we wanted to go. The drive up to the Retreat took around 40 minutes through some truly spectacular scenery. The recent rains meant that everything looked very fresh and green, and with the clouds and mist trailing through the Kumaon hills we truly felt like this was a completely different world to the city we had recently left.
Our first view of the Retreat left a strong impression. As you will see from the photos, the entire structure is built onto the side of a very steep hill. A total of seven terraces have been stepped up the side of this hill and provide the Retreat with a unique style, as well as excellent panoramic views of the surrounding hills.
After a warm ginger and lemon tea (which became our favourite morning and afternoon drink) we were warmly welcomed by the Shukla family (Pulak and Mr & Mrs Shukla), the owners of the Retreat. It was nice to finally meet after having exchanged several emails. We were given a tour of the Retreat, its history and story of the construction. At this point it is worth noting that what has been achieved here by Pulak and family is exceptional. The construction style and materials used are all environmentally friendly and blend in well with the surrounding hill, but do not compromise on the necessary architectural features required for comfort. Our room was very clean and comfortable, and decorated with some simple but attractive furniture that has all been constructed on site by local artists and workmen. The large terrace in front of the room (beautifully enclosed by Tulsi plants) opens out to the spectacular panoramic view of the Kumaon hills. It is no overstatement to say that this view never remained the same in our 3 days at the Retreat. The constant shifting of the clouds and transfer of sunlight across the hills ensures a captivating and ever-changing picture. An electrical storm one evening provided a further perspective on this view.
After a healthy breakfast, Mr Shukla explained the essence of the Satvik lifestyle and what they are trying to achieve at the Retreat. The principles of moderation, healthy eating (for “Swast” not just “Swaad”) and healthy lifestyle (undertaking yoga, adherence to ayurvedic guidelines) resonated very strongly with us. This was followed by a consultation based on ayurvedic principles which elicited our dosha style via a series of questions relating to our physical and mental characteristics. Based on our responses and primary dosha, we were given a set of very useful (and quite practical) tips on how to achieve a better balance in terms of our health. This included a list of foods to avoid as well as other foods and ayurvedic supplements to increase in our diets.
Meals at The Satvik were a very pleasant experience in the specially designed dining hall. The food was prepared according to the ayurvedic recommendations and presented in beautiful (and eco-friendly) style on leaf plates and bowls, with local spring water provided in copper cups. The meals prepared by the friendly staff were both healthy and tasty without being overpowered by spices and sauces as is common of many meals in India . Some of the dishes were specialities of the Retreat, and for one meal the staff treated us to a set of local dishes. I would not hesitate to say that these were some of the healthiest and most pleasant meals we had in India , helped by the fact that we were not encouraged to overeat. One useful suggestion was that it is best to fill the stomach with 50% food, 25% liquid and retain 25% for air, preventing any feelings of having overeaten.
During the next few days we undertook various activities arranged by the Retreat. The local lakes are extremely beautiful and we were lucky enough to have a clear afternoon to go boating on SatTal Lake , as well as take a stroll around BhimTal lake which is less than 1km away. The second morning we had an ayurvedic oil massage and steam bath (body only as ayurveda does not recommend immersing the head in steam). This was a very relaxing and cleansing experience, the massage was conducted by 2 people in synchronisation which really enhanced the effects. We also were given yoga tips and lessons by Mr Shukla and the staff (both the famous Surya Namaskar routine as well as a practical 15 minute low impact series of stretches developed by Mr Shukla). Before leaving we also visited an excellent local folk museum run by Dr. Yashodhar Mathpal, a painter of great fame and also an archaeologist and a rock art scholar. The museum is a true labour of love and well worth a visit, especially as the new gallery section should be ready towards the end of 2005.
In summary, our stay at The Satvik Sadanwhich arose through our fortunate coincidence of names was one of the main highlights of our trip to India . The owners and staff are extremely friendly and knowledgeable, the setting is inspiring, the food is excellent and most importantly, we left with a feeling of having learnt something about what it means to live a Satvik lifestyle. On our return we have acted on many of these things (inc. dietary changes and yoga) and found them to be practical, achievable and beneficial to physical and spiritual wellbeing. I would recommend anyone to go along and experience it for themselves should the opportunity present itself.
D.S.Raman Chief Manager (Marketing)Vardhaman Textiles HP October 2010
The place is really peaceful. Excellent view from the balcony. The morning view of the sunrise between the mountains is really mesmerizing. Bhimtal lake is just a ten minutes walk. Daily yoga classes, ayurvedic massages give a new lease of life and energy. Over all a very good experience to unwind, destress and connectt with nature. There is nothing else that one has to do and that is the USP of Satvik Sadan.
The vegetarian breakfast, lunch and dinner prepared in satvik style is worth appreciating. Less oil, less spices, yet very tasty ...
The ambience of the dining hall with ts low seating tables ( chowkis) reminded one of how one ate at ancestoral homes. The rooms, tables, bedding, dining - all have a touch of ethinicity without compromising on modern comforts and hygeine.
Amit Nath - from 3M commecial operations North India
I would like to state right away that the email id
bliss AT the satvik.com
" is the apt address that place can have.
Pure BLISS....
During our stay in May 2010, when there was a scroching heat wave in Delhi....we experienced the cool and calm environment of Satvik.
The place was cool but the hearts were warm enough to extend the best possible.
few days of complete rest... no work to do........ but rest. Comfortable , soothing, enjoyable and peaceful, in the company of those whom we fail to give enough time, with on dot staff which is ready to go all over in order to make you comfortable.
Feel like an emperor.
Yoga sessions, massage sessions, Ubtan..meals in true Indian tradition, make one feel that ....Yes Indian Traditional values are meaningful and are very logical.
Thanks for giving us the chance to enjoy and live an experience which is hard to forget.
We will back... for sure and this would be soon.... to rest in BLISs at the satvik.
Namaskaar.
Amit Nath
Rajoo Goel Secretary General ELCINA Electronic Industries Association of India 422 Okhla Indl Estate
I recall with great satisfaction my week long stay at the Satvik during October 2008. My routine and diet were well planned and I was fully satisfied with the personalised care I received from the staff of Satvik.
The Satvik Detox package, which I availed at the advise of ak Shukla Acharya was definitely the right thing for me and proved to be extremely beneficial for my physical and mental health. Though I was supposed to stay for minimum 21 days, I had to leave after a mere 7 days due to personal reasons. Inspite of the same, I lost about 5 kgs weight and felt much lighter and healthier. The Aurvedic Massage which was quite rigorous, was very useful .
I wish Satvik Sadan the very best and have every intenstion to going back for longer periods.
With best regards and good wishes
Rajoo
Dr Avdhesh Bansal Senior Consultant Department of Respiratory, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine
Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi
Excellent place to stay with great views. You do not feel like going out of this place, when it rains, its like heaven.
You can sit in the verandah for hours just meditating or not doing anything.
Truly Satvik
Sunita Pant Bansal
Sunita is the Indian editor of ' Tathaastu'
I had a wonderful stay at The Satvik, and have written about it in Tathaastu, an American spiritual magazine. It will appear in the Dec-Jan issue.
The Ayurvedic massage package that I took has successfully detoxified my system, so much so, that I do not have any desire for tea or coffee or even any soft drink any more. I drink only water and lime juice now. The reflexology/acupressure massage has reduced the swelling of my feet considerably. The Tarakdhara (with buttermilk) that was done on me has cured me of my insomnia. The entire treatment, including the satvik diet, has helped me in more ways that I can explain - physically, mentally and spiritually - and the change in me is noticeable to all my friends and family!
Hoping to repeat the experience again soon.
Thank you.
Regards
Sunita Pant Bansal
Ravi Kant and Chanda Shrivasatava Richmond Park Gurgaon
June 2008 Nature Retreat Package
Shri Ravi Kant is the former chairman CBDT, Govt. of India as also former member TRAI, while Smt. Chanda is an active member of the local Chinmaya mission.
"The Satvik Sadan, has lived upto its name. It creates a truly Satvik ambience - in its decor, food and service.
The view of mountains from the spacious balcony is breath taking.
The food is simple yet tasty, and is served with great courtsey and love.
Above all everyone - from the owners family to the manager and to the junior most staff treats you like a member of the family.
We would love to come again and would also recommend the Retreat to all those who seek a restful holiday."
Rakesh Jain
Saket New Delhi June 2008' Nature retreat package
Truly a 'unique' experience and I am glad we stumbled upon this place.Simplicity & yet being wholesome is summing up this experience in every sense - whether you speak about accomodation, food or the very dedicated staff led by Prithvi, making us feel very much at home.
If one can sleep well despite the Retreat's location on the town highway, it is due to the deep relaxation one experiences at The Satvik Sadan..
Congratulations and thanks for the memorable experience.
Ravi and Sushama Bhoothalingam , Laburnum Gurgaon.
Shri Ravi Bhoothalingam has been the President of The Oberoi Hotels chain and was earlier the head of VST Industries
May 1, 2006
"My wife and I stayed for one week plus, and I can truly say that the Satvik experience is truly unique. It is a combination of 3 separate experiences but interlinked experiences, and it is their harmony and inter flow that make the total experience special. These 3 elements are the food, the wellness/healthcare and the overall ambience. .....
We found the food excellent, tasty and nutritious, and the yoga regime, was refreshing and rejuvenating.
......We would most heartily recommend a week (or more) here. You won`t regret it, infact it would be a turning point for your well being".
Ravi and Sushama Bhoothalingam
Acharyas:
Shri Jayant Acharya from JVSL, Mumbai and Shri Joydeep Acharya from Tata AIG, New Delhi had come with families and parents.
Very Nice & Quite Ambience. Is different from the regular routine experience in a hotel.
Excellent food and service Warm People Personalized Service An excellent overall experience."
Joydeep Acharya
"It was indeed a very rejuvenating trip to your Retreat.The simplicity and blend with nature is striking and refreshing.We enjoyed our stay very much."
Jayant Acharya
Akshaya Saxena from Adobe India
B-12 Kendriya Vihar, Sector 51, Noida
Period of stay- 29th Sept to 1st Oct 07 - Nature Retreat Package
Overall: A beautiful place, well mannered staff, helpful service and above all a great concept in tourism.
Details:
- Best part is food here. Good homely food - the way we prefer.
- Clean rooms and Dinning area
- East Facing rooms are the most marvellous place we have stayed in. It was nice to see sunrise in front of us daily.
- Love sitting in the dinning + the soothing music is a refreshing change.
Suggestions: A good place. Promote it more. People would love the concept you guys are promoting. Best of luck
His blog mentions of his experience http://stochasticbits.blogspot.com/
Iris & Ravi Kapoor
heads a leading travel company based in New Delhi - I enjoyed my stay at The Satvik tremendously. It was rejuvenating and very peaceful The food was simple, healthy yet very tasty. I hope to return and spend more time here at The Satvik to learn yoga.- Iris An unforgettable experience. The Satvik experience should be a must in anyone's itinerary visiting Bhimtal. Thank you to each and everyone of The Satvik.
Ashok Tankha,
Shri Ashok Tankha has held top management posts in banking industry including HSBC
LiH 203A Laburnum Complex Sushant Lok Gurgaon 122002.
23-25 June 2007
Enjoyed the stay.
The food though simple and pretty much oil free was very tasty.
The service was of very good quality and everybody was very courteous and helpful.
The oil massages were very invigorating.
H.L.Mattoo.
D 102 Suncity Sector 54 Gurgaon
9-11 June 2007
I along with my family am very impressed with the natural surroundings, the pollution free atmosphere and above all the attitude and behavior of the staff and lovely treatment of the owner Shukl'acharya (Shri Pulak Ranjan Shukla.)
We enjoyed it a lot.
Rajiv Narang
Oakwood Estate DLF Gurgaon
8-12 June 2007
Felt at home, do not want to go back.
Excellent food. Excellent view.
Renu Narang added-
Wonderful experience – home away from home
Parul & Pankaj Bhayana
B7/27, DLF Phase 1, DLF City
We came across this place by luck, while planning weekend trip. Luckily read the ad in Global Adjustments & instantly took the decision. It was fate which brought us here & we have enjoyed each moment of the stay. .........
The term `Athithi Deva Bhavo` -- one understands the meaning after experiencing this place.
The objective of being with nature while away from the hum-drum of city is met very well in this Retreat. The cleanliness of the Retreat and rooms is good.
While departing from this place we feel like an extended family of The Satvik Sadan and will be visiting again.
08-04-07
Parul is admin manager at Mckenzie, Gurgaon India
Vaibhav and Sameer Jain, N7/6DLF Ph 2, Gurgaon
Very courteous & helpful staff. Very well decorated rooms. The `theme` of the Retreat is meticulously created in all the details.
Overall a very different experience. Had a peaceful sleep,
A place/staff/ environment that I would rank at the very top of all the places that we have stayed.
24th March 2007
Sri & Smt V.K.Chaddha, Jaipur
2nd to 6th Dec 06
` The atmosphere is excellent, the services are excellent and one would like to come here again. It is peaceful place and one can relax.`
Sri and Smt R. Sharma , Kanpur
1st to 3rdDec 06.
`We felt as if at home. The staff looked after us very well
Hemal and Deepali Jahanara Fashion Studio Paldi, Ahemdabad www.jahanaraindia.com 9/3/06
In one sentence: "God's own Retreat" where ... soul through nature reaches God Ultimate experience to stay in this place.
Raghavans:
Shri V.Raghavan, finance management consultant from Hyderabad, was here with his wife Brinda Raghavan and two sweet daughters Vaijanti and Sanjana.
"We enjoyed our stay at this place, as we could get a serene, peaceful atmosphere to relax.
The staff was very cooperative too.
The hospitality was also good.
We look forward to our stay in future at your place."
Brinda Raghavan
Mr Dutt,
Vikram & Mallika Dutt Chief of an NGO engaged in setting up centers for rehabilitation of patients with Spinal Injury.
.... welcome change from the hustle bustle of city life. --- simple and yet tasty vegetarian fare minus onion and garlic is very pleasing to the palate. the massage was relaxing ... the flowers and greenery add to the ambience. ... balconies in front of the rooms was a special treat ... to see panorama - rain, clouds drifting across mountain peaks and the sun at its glory. ... thanks to all staff behind the scenes especially, for a lovely break.
The Satvik Sadanis an interesting change for many of us city dwellers. We are accustomed to a hurly burly pace of life and getting away from it is important for our health - both physical and mental!
My wife and I were excited about our weekend - having married late (both of us in our early 50s) - and wanted to be with each other and explore areas of life often untouched due to city-life-speed and stress. Just sitting in the eco-friendly verandah with the clouds wafting by and fresh breezes to invigorate the mind, was great.
What added to the quaintness of the break was the wooden slippers we were given to wear - kahadaus I think they are called. We were discouraged from taking city shoes into the bedroom.
The food was a plus point. For non-vegetarians like us, the concept of pure "shudh-without lassan pyaz' food was intriguing. What an interesting change. The tastes were new and titillated the taste buds.
Food was followed by an ayurvedic massage (after a mandatory two hours though!) and a besan scrub bath. The experience was doubly enjoyable because of its novelty.
The Bhimtal lake is a short distance away and a row in a small canoe-like boat is truly romantic. All in all, a good place for a change.
Best Experience:
- Different and tasty food.
- Nice ayurvedic massage.
- Lovely verahdah with clouds wafting by.
- An entirely new experience of footwear - khadaus!
- Comfortable rooms with A class toilet facilities.
Worst Experience: Only one - loud neighbours who were not very happy with the vegetarian, non-alcohol, non-television experience!!
Inderjeet Singh, Samsung India Eke Ltd
Different but excellent hospitality and environment. Keep it up.
Mrs Inderjit Singh
Great experience. We really enjoyed it.
Dipayan Mukherjee, Manager, IBM
A very different place and pleasing experience. Excellent Hospitality. Would like to repeat experience whenever possible.
Rajiv Jain, Sr Project Manager, TCG Developments India Pvt Ltd.
Staying at Satvik was really a change i.e. everything was different. We felt pleasant.
I hope you would be glad to quote above views to your clients.
Jyoti Thakur ,Triburg Sportswear, New Delhi.
Neeraj and Jyoti Thakur
Atmosphere is very peaceful ... service is excellent.... staff is really friendly and helpful ... food is good and different from our every day life ... my daughter really enjoyed her vacation here .... beauty we could
see from our window
Nihar. K. Das Triburg Consultants Pvt Ltd New Delhi
N.K.Das & Meena Joshi Das
Good interiors in the room, Lovely view from the Balconies, Ethnic ambience is a source of rejuvenation.
It was a great break from fast life of Delhi.
Sanjeev Gupta, Director, Real Innerspring Technologies Pvt Ltd.
Sanjeev Gupta/Navneet Goel
...Quality of food is excellent. Service is excellent. View from Hotel too good.... A satisfactory stay
V.K Maini
.... A very good place for peaceful stay.... we have been looked after very well
Ananthnarayans:
This short note in poem form has been written by Adarsh Rajan, then a student of standard 6th, who had come along with his parents, Shri Rajan Ananthnarayan & Smt. Maheshwari Ananthnarayan.from Bombay.
Rajan, an engineer is with the Reliance group, while Maheshwari, a chartered accountant, teaches in a management college.
'Himalayas'
What an adventure it is The devotion is so clear It is such a beautiful wonder You can experience heights without fear.
it is a mountain full of snow So lets gather and pray Which may vibrate untold times For our good we say.so lets follow the route To reach the final peak Let's begin our journey For knowledge we have to seek. |
