Cradled in the birthplace of yoga and spirituality, Ananda in the Himalayas—the legendary luxury spa frequented by the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Kate Winslet—can be credited with igniting an international interest in Ayurveda, long before it trended on Instagram reels.
Housed in the former Palace estate of the Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal, near Rishikesh, its peaceful location couldn’t be more perfect for a luxury wellness retreat: set amidst the majestic Himalayan foothills of the North, it sprawls across 100 acres of grounds, gardens, and surrounding forests.
Whilst the signature treatments using Ayurvedic oils and poultice are legendary, cuisine plays a major role in the mix. The pure sattvic diet, tailor-made for each guest, has garnered fans worldwide who hanker to recreate this healthy dining experience at home.
Keeping this in mind, founder Ashok Khanna and his team bring 25 years of integrative health experience into a beautiful, accessible culinary guide based on ancient Ayurvedic principles. Guests get a backdoor entry into its hallowed palace grounds through the pages of this Ayurvedic bible, ‘The Healing Plate,’ releasing this month by Roli Books.
The book resonates with anyone in search of practical guidance that is culturally neutral and globally accessible, along with recipes that are both therapeutic and guided for doshas, and familiar enough for everyday kitchens.
“The book shifts the conversation from 'superfoods' and restrictive rules to mindful nourishment rooted in flavour, balance, and tradition. It demonstrates how healing can be joyful, sensory, and celebratory, unique and easy to follow,” says Mahesh Natarajan, COO, IHHR Hospitality.
After a week-long treatment at Ananda for my peri-menopausal symptoms, the book served as a crutch to help me navigate the big, bad world of processed food and hectic city life. More importantly, The Healing Plate is more of a culinary philosophy than a diet book. The key takeaway from Ayurveda is that health is not merely the absence of illness, but the presence of harmony, which differs from one individual to the next.
The practices and recipes within are meant to be explored, adapted, and made your own. Because Ayurveda isn’t about restriction, but expansion and guiding you through life with resilience and joy. On the flight back from Dehradun to Mumbai, I bookmarked some favourite, easy-to-prepare recipes such as barley kokum bowl and a hearty tridoshic sambhar that addresses the most critical health priorities of our time: energy, digestion, inflammation, immunity, detoxification, cognition, and sleep.
What struck me was author Vasudha Rai’s easy interpretation of classical Ayurvedic texts - profound and intricate – making them relevant to lives shaped by late nights, hurried meals, and overstimulation from constant screen time.
“In the comfort of my kitchen, with all resources available, I can create almost anything. But for guests, continuing their wellness journey at home is very different. Helping guests find practical ways to continue their wellness journey beyond Ananda is challenging, but it is also deeply
satisfying. The Healing Plate is another step to help bring Ayurveda and wellness cuisine into people’s homes. I hope that this book becomes your companion in exploring how food can nourish and elevate with the healing power of Ayurveda," concludes Chef Diwaker, director of culinary & f&b at Ananda in the Himalayas.