The gigantic tortoise looms large as you approach.
Gently beckoning me towards its protective canopy, it seems to reinforce the mantra that slow and steady is the way to go to win the prize of good health. Cliched though that may sound, it is indeed the motto which one needs to follow in order to attain wellness and mental peace.
This apt symbol of a life led at a reduced pace, is the single most distinctive structure that greets me as I enter the tranquil and healing environs of Kshemavana.
I step in and breathe deeply of the air that seems a far purer version than from where I come from! My body tingles in anticipation of the detoxification and cleansing that it will undergo and I surrender myself to the potential powers of naturopathy.
Kshemavana is a Wellness and Naturopathy Retreat and is the latest offering from the portfolio of the well known Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara (SDM) Group. This oasis of tranquility lies alongside the Bangalore Hassan highway, in the surroundings of Nelamangala in the Bangalore Rural district of Karnataka, India.
Come join me within the luxurious environs of this elegant retreat and get ready to be cajoled and pampered into wellness under the personalized guidance of the doctors and the indulgent attention of the various therapists who are devoted to taking good care of you.
About the Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara (SDM) group –Â
It is said that around 800 years ago in Dharmasthala (then known as Kuduma), there lived a pious Jain chieftain Birmanna Pergade and his wife Ammu Ballalthi in their home called Nelliady Beedu. The legend goes that Dharma Daivas (angels) appeared in a dream to Pergade and told him to convert his home into a place of worship and dedicate his life to propagate Dharma.
From then on, Dharmasthala which is in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district, India, has been a location for spirituality and is now a flourishing town which receives a great number of devotees all year round. Dharmasthala translates to The Abode of Dharma.
The main deity in the temple is Shiva represented in the form of Manjunatheshwara and interestingly though the temple has Hindu priests to perform the rituals, the administration is performed by the Jain descendants of the Pergade family. The Heggade of Dharmasthala represents Lord Manjunatha and is the main administrator.
The Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara group has a plethora of institutions and social service ventures spanning education, healthcare, rural development, societal development, women empowerment etc.
About Dr Veerendra Heggade –Â
Dr Veerendra Heggade is the current hereditary Dharmadhikari of the Dharmasthala Temple. Dharmadhikari translates to administrator and he plays a prominent role in the administrative, religious and developmental policies of Dharmasthala. He is also a renowned philanthropist and the visionary behind the creation of Kshemavana.
He also has the distinction of being an awardee of the prestigious Padma Vibhushana by the Central Government of India in 2015.
About Kshemavana –Â
Kshemavana is the third and newest wellness centre established by the SDM group, after their pioneer naturopathy centre in 1987, the 400 bed Shantivana at Dharmasthala and the second one in 2015 which is the 300 bed Saukhyavana at Manipal.
Naturopathy is the practice of living in harmony with nature and these institutions strive to promote wellness without the use of medication but through various natural therapies which holistically heal by taking into account our physical, emotional, spiritual and environmental influences.
Kshemavana’s blend of healthcare and hospitality makes that process a very comfortable one, with its elegant environs and luxurious stay options.
Opening its healing arms to the public in August 2022, this place is now a popular destination for those seeking natural therapies. Kshema means wellbeing and Vana translates to forest and true to its name, this forest of wellbeing exudes a healing and positive vibe which is very evident as soon as one sets foot into the premises.
The design is by architect Mahesh Diophode and the execution of this tastefully done up place is by the Jaipur based Ayush Kasliwal Design Pvt. Ltd. (AKDPL). The theme of celebrating nature is manifested with the use of elements that represent flora, fauna and creatures of land, air and water, via various motifs and structures.
Kshemavana sprawls across 20 expansive acres of land and encompasses the residential spaces, dining halls, treatment rooms, recreational areas, public spaces and the administrative areas.
Features of the premises –Â
Picture from Kshemavana’s brochure
The various buildings at Kshemavana are divided into those that are public spaces and those that are private, like the residential quarters. There are electric buggies that are available to internally transport those who have issues with mobility. There are also bicycle stations at various points from where guests can pickup cycles to go around the premises.
The public spaces –Â
The 3 main public spaces are designed using architecture that represents air, water and land and are known as Garuda (eagle), Kurma (turtle) and Nandi (bull).
The Garuda features the winged creatures of the sky and contains the reception area, the Administrative block, the OPD called Pravesha, some of the treatment areas and the Salons Kaya and Kalpa. It is here that the guest first enters the premises to be greeted traditionally and to have the initial consultation and bio metrics performed.
Kurma is the most distinctive building with decor that features the creatures of the water. This uniquely constructed structure consists of the yoga and meditation halls (Dhyana), an auditorium (Siddha), a library (Bodhi), a gorgeous temperature controlled swimming pool (Vari), a gym (Garadi) and a room for performing kriyas. The auditorium sports a massive mural of the Samudra manthan behind the stage, depicting the scene where Vishnu in the form of the Kurma (tortoise) avatar helps the gods and the demons in churning the ocean.
The Nandi has been chosen to represent the dining blocks since it is said that the cow has the most powerful digestive system. This place offers customized diets in different halls, namely the Juice diet area (Jala), the Raw diet area( Prithvi) and the boiled diet area (Agni). The Nandi also houses over 25 therapy units where treatment is provided.
In addition to these public buildings, there is a small vegetable patch, a sacred temple area called Sarnath with a small Manjunatheshwara shrine, an open air amphitheater, a tennis court and a brick wall which is a tribute to the brick kiln which was originally on that land.
The private spaces –Â
Kshemavana can accommodate nearly 400 guests and offers 5 types of stay options. There are 86 regular rooms, 30 deluxe rooms, 16 lavish cottages and 16 luxurious suites, each with their distinct decor and amenities.
The 5 Residential blocks –Â
All the residential buildings are ground plus one and there are elevators to the first floor. All the spaces are large and airy and done up in pleasing decor, regardless of the category.
Vana – the 1065 sq ft large Vana cottages are the highest category and truly offer luxurious indulgence. Vana comprises of an entrance hall (which doubles as an attender’s room), an attender’s bathroom, a large and aesthetically done up living cum dining room with an airy sit-out featuring a big wooden swing, a huge bedroom with a king sized 4 poster bed, a spacious en suite bathroom and a generous sized treatment area with its own massage room, bathroom, steam room, sauna, hot tub and balcony … phew that is some seriously lavish cottage! There are plenty of wooden racks and cupboard spaces for the use of the guest. Those staying in Vana have the comfort of receiving 60% of their therapies within their cottage. The rest of the treatments are provided in the Deluxe (Taru) block next door.
Pushpa Suites – at 750 sq ft each are also lavish, with a lobby (attender’s space), large well furnished living room, spacious bedroom with a king size bed and en suite bath area, a large balcony and an exclusive massage room. The steam room is shared between 2 adjoining rooms via a common vestibule. There is also a second bathroom which is common to the 2 rooms. At Pushpa, 40% of the therapies are provided within the suite and the rest of the treatments are provided in the Deluxe (Taru) block across the road.
Taru Rooms – 350 sq ft in size, these are also called Deluxe rooms. These 26 well appointed rooms feature 2 single beds (a couple of rooms also have the 3 bed option), en suite bathroom, balcony and the usual furniture like wardrobe, table, chair etc.
Those staying here have their treatments provided in the common treatment area in the same block.
Lata and Fala – These 2 residential buildings flank the Nandi block. There are 43 rooms of size 150 sq ft each per block and they are furnished with all the basic necessities like 2 single beds (some have 3), wooden racks, cupboards, tables etc. They even have a small balcony space.
Those staying here, have their treatments provided in the common treatment area in the Nandi block.
Let food be thy medicine. Food is one of the important tools which naturopathy uses in order to promote healing and good health. Hence the menus are carefully tailored accordingly and every patient is counselled upon admission as to what kind of diet will be provided. Depending on the health condition, patients are referred the Juice diet or Raw diet or boiled diet area. At the very start, it is important to inform the doctors of food related allergies if any.
All meals are purely vegetarian and contain only the ingredients which are permitted by the doctors. No outside food is allowed in the premises and bags are checked on arrival to ensure this.
Initially it may seem tough to consume this kind of strictly curated health food but in time it tends to grow on you 😉😎
Typical meals per day begin with breakfast in the form of 2 bottles of fruit or vegetable smoothies at 7.30 am.
Lunch is served at 11.30 am and the menu offers a thick soup, 3 different vegetable dishes, a raitha/salad and a serving of fruit.
At 2 pm there is a bottle of buttermilk and at 4 pm a bottle of smoothie or vegetable juice.
Dinner is early at 6.30 pm and has similar dishes as lunch but with 1 paneer dish replacing the raitha. The paneer is something to look forward to for those who find the vegetable overdose overwhelming 😬
Jokes apart, this strictly no grain diet does make one feel lighter by the end of the duration of the treatment.
The residents of the Vana and Pushpa blocks have their meals delivered to their rooms whereas those living in Taru, Lata and Fala have to dine at Nandi.
Treatments –Â
Naturopathy is a system which is based on drugless healing and care. Kshemavana also incorporates the benefits of technology and modern methods along with ancient wisdom and traditions, to provide an optimal healing experience.
The treatments are personalized according to the ailments and characteristics of each patient and since every person is considered unique in their body type and constitution, the efficacy of the treatments depend on various factors and there is no ‘one size fits all’.
Every patient undergoes an assessment and detailed consultation on arrival, following which each person is given a customised treatment program which best fits their condition. Likewise the diet is also decided at this point and it is necessary to inform of food allergies if any.
Male and female treatment areas are separate from each other.
Ailment care offered –Â
At Kshemavana, treatments are offered for various issues that span physical and mental health. Some of the diseases and conditions that they offer to treat are, Autoimmune disorders, Cardiometabolic issues and Degenerative problems like Osteoarthritis, Parkinson’s disease etc. The complete range of ailments that they offer to treat, can be obtained from their website or by contacting them directly.
With holistic health as their aim, they focus on 5 Pillars of wellbeing which are Smriti (mind and body), Aahar (food and nutrition), Nidra (sleep and restoration), Dipan (gut and inner flora) and Urja (energy and balance).
Integrating technology in their methods, they have laboratory facilities which offer a range of tests, including hematology, biochemistry etc. They also make use of devices and tools like Stress Assessment Tool to measure Heart rate variability (HRV), Sleep Assessment Tool – Dozee etc.
The treatments include a host of therapeutic amenities like diet, yoga, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, ozone therapy, mud therapy, herbal baths, various types of massages, reflexology, acupuncture etc.
Other activities like aquatic yoga, meditation, relaxation techniques, health talks etc are also available.
While I can write in detail about the features of the place, I am not qualified to determine the efficacy of the treatments or the skill of the doctors, hence I will not even attempt to. Every patient has a different situation and the outcome will depend on their set of factors.
From my observation, all the medical staff were soft spoken, easy to communicate with, gentle in their approach and therapies and seemed very comfortably rendered. There are male staff for men and female for women.
I must definitely acknowledge the skilled massage and therapy staff for being very considerate and understanding and making the experience stress free. They are truly well trained and professional.
My take away from this place was a sense of rejuvenation and I felt clean, light and refreshed from inside out.
Healing packages –Â
Apart from the personalized regular treatments, Kshemavana also conducts health retreats called ‘healing packages’ with various programs such as –
Preventive programs – A 7 day wellness retreat program offering a holistic approach to well being and focusing on preventive measures. Participants learn valuable methods for sustainable well being.
Curative program – these sessions focus on healing and rejuvenation of individuals who may be dealing with specific health issues like Cardiometabolic diseases, obesity, autoimmune issues, mental health, gut health etc.
Rehabilitation wellness programs –Â
This program is designed to provide support to individuals in their recovery and rehabilitation processes following an injury, surgery or illness via personalized exercises, therapy etc.Â
Other Retreats –Â
In addition to the above options, Kshemavana also conducts frequent retreats ranging from a duration of 3 – 10 days. There are various sessions like Breathwork retreat, Diabetes reversal, Digital detox, Meditation etc and one can subscribe to their mailing list or follow them on social media to stay informed.
Activities and Typical Daily schedule –Â
The day is chalked out from dawn to dusk for each guest via a daily treatment sheet which is provided in advance according to their specific health issues. The daily in house activities include consultations, various treatments, yoga and meditation and lifestyle correction sessions. Some of the programs are common to everyone and the rest are specific per person.
A typical schedule goes as follows – Yoga and kriyas from 5.30 am to 7 am.
Breakfast at 7.30 am followed by various scheduled individual therapies.
Lunch is served at 11.30 am.
Aquatic yoga is conducted from 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm and for those who wish to attend and for those who do not have clashing treatments at that time.
The afternoon again is reserved for personal treatments.
Then it is back to yoga from 4 pm – 5 pm, pranayama from 5 pm to 5.45 pm and meditation from 5.45 pm to 6.30 pm.
Dinner is served between 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm.
After this there is a 30 minute health talk and a 30 minute relaxation session and the events of the day finally conclude at 8.30 pm.
During one’s free time, one can also choose to potter around the organic garden or cycle or stroll around the property or even enjoy a dramatic sunrise and sunset from various vantage points.
Sunrise between the ropes of my swing
Sunset from the tennis court area
My experiences –Â
Like everyone else, I too had my detailed consultations and check-ups and personal therapy schedule. The time table seems confusing at first with the many activities to juggle but one gets used to it in a couple of days.
I noticed that though to a large extent everything was on track and well synchronized, there were times where there was a bit of lack of coordination like having clashing times between 2 therapies or having something rescheduled without prior intimation. My feedback was received and I was told that a more stable app based system was shortly going to be put into place to ensure a smooth and confusion free system.
I underwent various therapies which are easier to indicate visually and hence this short video glimpse –
Environmental, social commitment –Â
Kshemavana’s ideology encompasses environmental and social commitment. The eco-friendly and socially responsible concepts are introduced in various aspects of their operations.
They are actively working towards plastic freedom by serving all liquids in reusable, sterilized glass bottles.
The land has been actively reforested and they are growing several trees and plants.
From time to time, the staff conduct cleanliness drives in the surrounding villages and impart the necessity for hygiene among the locals.
Many of the the staff members from the F and B, housekeeping and therapy departments are young men and women from the surrounding villages or from the North and North East part of India. These youth have been recruited, well trained and incorporated into their system, thus providing them with a viable profession which empowers them in so many ways and provides them with financial independence and social awareness. The professionalism and behavior of the staff is truly commendable and it is a matter of pride to see them developing into confident and self assured individuals because of the opportunity provided by Kshemavana.
Heritage Preservation –
Kshemavana also owns and displays an enviable array of refurbished and repurposed artefacts and artwork that are part of the Manjusha Museum collection, with an intention to preserve these beautiful pieces for future generations. The aesthetics too are greatly enhanced with items that include antique door and window frames, pillars and furniture, stone and metal sculptures, all collected over decades from various regions of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Phone and internet connectivity –
Phone and internet signals are quite good and stable. They also provide a good WiFi connection within the premises.
Every room also has an intercom which they can use to communicate with the relevant staff.
Visitor profile –
This place is a wellness centre, thus people with varied health conditions or lifestyle ailments would obviously fit the guest profile here. This is clearly not a leisure retreat and hence such guests are not accommodated here. Everyone who is admitted here has to compulsorily avail of the medical consultation and treatment, other than accompanying attenders who are permitted for those who need assistance.
They usually treat adults over the age of 18 but exceptions may be made as per the situation for younger people.
Best time to visit –
As ill health does not wait for any particular moment, therefore anytime of the year is good to avail treatment.
The weather is similar to what one enjoys in Bangalore, which means that is moderate almost all year round, apart from summers which are a bit hot ie April and May and winters are a bit chilly in December and January.
What you should and should not carry –Â
This is a wellness facility, hence comfortable clothing would be sensible. The place is not very vast but there is a great walking track and hence sturdy footwear would be useful for those who want to walk.
Since almost all essential items are provided, one might possibly carry just their work gadgets and any other specific medications, personally preferred toiletries/cosmetics etc etc. A cap and sunscreen would help during the hotter months.
Swim wear is recommended for water based therapies.
What one cannot bring inside is alcohol, cigarettes, all external food items, non veg and such. The institute has very strict rules regarding this and breaking them could even result in expulsion with no refund.
Getting there –Â
Kshemavana has a great advantage of being easily accessible from Bangalore city. Barely 30 km by road from Yeshwantpur railway station (as a reference point), the journey is a short one and hence quite easy for the people of Bangalore.
The distance from Kempegowda International Airport is around 60 km and it is 36 km away from Bangalore City Railway station. Cabs are available from these locations and one can also request Kshemavana to organise to and fro transport.
My journey –
I travelled from Bangalore by cab and the 40 km journey was done in barely an hour! My traffic luck was at its peak I guess … and the traffic was not, hence the record timing. And just when I thought that it could not get any better than this, the return journey surprised me even more with its duration of 45 minutes 😃It did help that it was a holiday on account of Sankranthi and therefore the roads were less occupied than usual. Speaking of which, the roads are excellent and a real pleasure to traverse upon.
As I bid goodbye to Kshemavana, I also managed to get a glimpse of their Sankranthi decorations 😊
Booking and contact –Â
For regular treatments, the recommended minimum duration of stay is 7 days. The usual Check in time is 9 am and Check out time is 8 am.
It is recommended to book directly through their website (details below). Bookings are also taken through some of the popular portals.
Pricing information –Â
The prices are based on the type of room, with the treatments and diet being the same across all categories. The package includes the charges for stay, food and recommended therapies and all the activities/amenities which are offered, like yoga, swimming, outdoor games, usage of cycles, wifi etc.
The price does not include any additional tests or the in-house herbal medicines if recommended or prescribed. Some of the tests are outsourced to an external lab but the collection happens in-house. These are billed separately on check out.
The rates as on date are given below. For accurate prevalent prices, please re-check during booking.
Address –Â
Kshemavana,
SDM Institute of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences,
Kunigal Bypass Rd, near Sambrama Hotel,
Mahadevapura, Bengaluru, Karnataka 562127
Phone – +91 76250 43800
Email of Kshemavana – The Wellness Retreat – info@kshemavana.com
Website of Kshemavana – The Wellness Retreat
Facebook page of Kshemavana – The Wellness Retreat
Instagram of Kshemavana – The Wellness Retreat
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For more pictures see My Facebook – Kshemavana – The Wellness Retreat  Also catch me on My Facebook, My Facebook page, My Twitter and My Instagram
Please Note – This is a collaboration, based on the invitation of Kshemavana and I thank them for hosting me with their warm hospitality. The narrative is based on the inputs that I received from various sources as well as my own experiences.
This itinerary was specially curated, hence some of the features might have been personalized accordingly. Before booking, please check the facilities offered in your package.
I would really appreciate your feedback and comments in the comment box below.
Jan 10th – 15th, 2024
I just wanted you to take a few moments to thank you for the time that you spent on your article It was really interesting to read
Thank you 🙂
“Discover wellness at its core with ‘Kshemavana – Naturopathy Treatment Center,’ a transformative sanctuary that promises a holistic approach to health, providing a rejuvenating haven for those seeking balance and vitality.”
Yes it is.
Enjoyed perusing through the blog, Carol. Vivid descriptions transport readers to the atmosphere of Kshemavana, creating a highly immersive experience.
Thank you 🙂 Yes it is a beautiful and serene place.
The title Kshemavana is so attractive and unique any visitor would fall in love with its beautiful and artistic structures . Anyone who visits this serenic beauty can surely get cured well before the start of soothing treatment. I personally tried my best to select the most beautiful picture but am attracted equally to all of them. It is a dream land and only the luckiest one gets a chance to experience the magical treatment. Good luck to all.
Thank you so much Gladys. Yes it has great healing vibes and is truly a very beautifully done up place 🙂
Wow, Kshemavana sounds amazing! Your description makes me crave that blend of nature’s healing and luxurious comfort. Thanks for sharing all the details, especially the eco-friendly and community-focused aspects. It truly seems like a haven for holistic wellness.
Thank you so much 🙂 Yes it is truly a serene place.
Reading the blog was like actually being there. You write so well Carol, loved reading it.
Thank you so much Suman 🙂
Amazing! Never knew such a place existed! So well planned out and well maintained! Lovely !
Yeah its great that it is so close to Bangalore 🙂
The place comes across as a boon to those who are having some or the other ailment and have given allopathy a try but are not satisfied and are looking for alternate treatments. The place being close to nature not only relaxes the mind which is a necessity for any treatment to be effective but it also keeps you away from the usual hospital environment (not saying its not good but lets be honest…its very stressful). As always your article contains exhaustive information about each and every corner of this wonderfully developed place. The article through words and pictures gives the reader a virtual walkthrough of the place making him aware of what to expect and not when they actually visit it. It was very nice of you to mention about the staff and how well they are trained cause when it comes to getting ailment treated that is the one major worry of all. Hopefully the stay at this place would have definitely done you some good as can be felt through this lovely post. People who read this would surely be tempted to visit it and experience the serenity of the place and also get themselves treated…its like paying for one and getting the experience of being with nature free. Thank you for taking time to write this honest review.
As always, your wonderful words are like an amazing mini blog. The place is indeed an oasis of tranquility.
Thank you for the effort put in into appreciating my efforts 🙂 Hope you can experience this place someday. You will surely enjoy the rejuvenating therapies.