India is the birthplace of yoga, meditation, Ayurvedic medicine, and many other ancient healing practices that have shaped modern wellness around the world. The historical Buddha and his disciples were meditating as early as the 6th century BCE in the quiet plains of northern India, and Indian yogis had already developed the principles of Hatha yoga long before yoga mats and studios became a global trend. These deep-rooted traditions form the foundation of the transformative wellness experiences in India that continue to attract seekers from across the globe.
Modern India is known for its vibrant colors, lively energy, and endless activity, but it’s also a land of deep calm and spiritual depth, offering countless opportunities for self-discovery and inner peace. In fact, starting a spiritual or wellness journey is one of the top experiences to have when visiting India.
Tiwari Travel sister company, The Yoga Department, runs Wellness & Yoga Journeys all throughout India…See www.theyogadepartment.com
Attend a meditation class at a Buddhist monastery in the high Himalayas or book in for a herbal treatment at a beachside Ayurvedic center in Kerala, and you’ll be plugging into traditions that have been keeping India well for as long as people have been keeping records.
From beach yoga sessions to luxury Ayurvedic treatments at tropical resorts, here is our pick of the best wellness experiences in India.
5 Incredible Wellness Experiences in India
- Join a dawn yoga session overlooking the Ganges in Rishikesh
The River Ganges is the most sacred of all Hindu holy rivers, and the spot where it symbolically flows out of the Himalayas and into the plains is a key center for spiritual devotion. While Hindu pilgrims gather in Haridwar, nearby Rishikesh has become one of the world’s top yoga destinations, drawing in everyone from future yoga teachers to global icons like the Beatles.
The lush, forest-lined banks of the Ganges in Rishikesh are dotted with yoga schools, ashrams, and private coaching centers, making it a peaceful yet vibrant place to dive into your yoga journey.
Planning tip:
Continue your yoga journey by attending the famous Ganges aarti ceremony, a daily evening ritual held on the riverbanks with uplifting devotional music and flickering oil lamps lighting up the sacred waters. It’s a magical experience, especially for first-time visitors, and is best witnessed from Triveni Ghat (leaving a small donation is appreciated).
2. Begin your Buddhist meditation journey in Dharamshala
As the official home of the Central Tibetan Administration – the Tibetan government-in-exile – and the residence of the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, the Himalayan town of Dharamsala is one of the world’s most significant centers for Buddhist practice.
In and around the Tibetan government complex in Dharamsala and the nearby laid-back village of McLeod Ganj, you’ll find numerous monasteries and meditation centers offering drop-in classes and in-depth residential courses in Buddhist meditation and philosophy.
3. Meditate with Buddhists from around the world in Bodhgaya
While neighboring Nepal was the birthplace of the historical Buddha, it was in Bodhgaya, Bihar, that Siddhartha Gautama reached enlightenment. Every journey here begins with a visit to the Mahabodhi Temple, where devotees chant mantras beneath the branches of a sacred fig tree, believed to be a direct descendant of the very tree under which the Buddha discovered the Middle Way.
To explore Buddhist philosophy and deepen your path of self-realization, consider joining a dharma class at a local monastic school.
4. Book in for a holistic treatment plan at a Kerala Ayurvedic resort
The Indian tradition of holistic Ayurvedic medicine dates back over 3,000 years, and possibly even earlier. It focuses on healing the mind and body as one, using herbal remedies, tailored diets, and treatments like shirodhara, where warm oil is gently poured onto the forehead, believed to be the seat of the spiritual “third eye.”
The southern state of Kerala is one of the best places to experience these soothing therapies, with luxurious Ayurvedic resorts that blend wellness, healthy eating, and total relaxation into the perfect beachside getaway.
5. Meditate in the rain shadow of the Himalayas in Leh
Ladakh is one of the few places left in the world where Tibetan Buddhism is practiced without restrictions, and the mountain-surrounded city of Leh is a truly inspiring place to explore its ancient traditions.
Leh is also a great spot to experience Tibetan Buddhist rituals firsthand. The best way to connect with Ladakh’s Buddhist culture is by attending morning prayers at one of the many ancient gompas (monasteries) scattered throughout the Indus Valley.
One of the most popular gatherings takes place at the stunning 15th-century Thiksey Gompa, about 18 km (11 miles) from Leh. Here, daily prayer sessions begin around 6 a.m. (or later in winter), filled with hypnotic mantras and powerful trumpet sounds.
