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I thought my holiday would be good but I was unprepared for how brilliant I would feel by the end of the week evening standard

swa swara karnataka

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‘Swa’ in Sanskrit means ‘the self', and 'Swara’ refers to sound. We live, unaware of the inner sound of our being, drowned out as it is by the din of daily life. Only when everything else quiets down and we are at peace can we hear it. This is what your holiday at SwaSwara, ultimately, is all about.

SwaSwara gives its guests a holiday experience that combines the elements of Yoga, rejuvenative Ayurveda, Art and holistic interactive cuisine.

Yoga is a way of life at SwaSwara. The yoga experts will teach you the basics of yoga and help you recognize the needs of your body and how to respond to them. You will learn the power and synergies of chanting and meditation.

Ayurvedic massages and therapies at SwaSwara are designed to refresh your body, soothe away frazzled city nerves, improve blood circulation and put the spring back in your step.

SwaSwara plays host to talented artists who take up residence and share their energies with you. They will invite you to give expression to your artistry and rediscover the joys of splashing colour and getting down and dirty with clay.

SwaSwara believes that you are what you eat. Holistic food is an intrinsic part of wellness at SwaSwara and they believe that guests benefit from understanding the cuisine served here. You will be invited to dig up vegetables and cook them, along with the culinary team, in the interactive kitchen gallery.

We recommend a holiday of seven nights to experience all of these elements. The basic SwaSwara Package is a minimum of 5 nights.

The serene environment at SwaSwara is designed for rather profound pursuits and does not include leisure options for children. All guests must be over 12 years old.

Other ideas for wellness retreats in India

Also in Kanartaka, southern India, for a bit more luxury, there's a Relais & Chateaux country retreat called Shreyas, about an hour from Bangalore
In Kerala, a little further south on the south west tip of India, we would recommend Kali Kovilakom - minimum stay two weeks for the ultimate in mind / body rejuvenation.
Alternatively, head north to the majestic Himalayas for a stay at the Ananda Spa

Accommodation

Accommodation at SwaSwara consists of 24 self-contained Villas, built in the local Konkan style, featuring air -conditioning, modern plumbing and most other mod cons you'd expect.

Cuisine

Fresh fish, shellfish and other seafood, based on seasonal variants and the catch of the day. These are accompanied with fresh produce from the local farms and a selection of Indian wines.

Things to do

There are extensive Yoga, Pranayama and meditation facilities, with individual attention from qualified yoga teachers. SwaSwara has an Ayurveda centre, where you can try out a variety of massages and other therapies.

Then there are the charms of Om beach, and a number of other beaches that are a short boat ride away. The temple town of Gokarna and Gokarna beach make for fascinating day excursions.

Seasons

Jan - Mar: These months are cool (well, 28-34 C) and dry.
Apr - May: Peak summer.
June - Aug: These are the Monsoon (rainy) months. For those seeking Ayurveda, this is considered extremely good weather for healing.
Sept - Dec: A pleasant and dry period, usually the main tourist season.

Location

The nearest airport is Goa's Dabolim Airport (fairly well-connected internationally), which is 170 km away on the south west coast of India.

The nearest railway station is Gokarna Road, on the Konkan railway. It's a scenic train ride linking Mumbai (Bombay) to the major cities of Kerala, including Cochin and Trivandrum.