Kshemavana, A Quiet Revolution in Wellness

Tucked away just outside Bangalore, near Nelamangala, is a quiet and deeply grounding place called Kshemavana. It’s not your typical resort, not a getaway filled with indulgence or noise, but something far more purposeful. People don’t come here for a vacation—they come for themselves. They come when their body or mind quietly signals that something needs attention, or sometimes, when nothing feels wrong but they sense that silence and rest are long overdue.

What sets this place apart is how subtly it weaves together ancient wellness traditions and a modern lifestyle. The days start before sunrise with yoga that gently awakens the body, followed by cleansing practices that are simple yet effective. By breakfast, there’s already a quiet rhythm in the air, and each guest eases into a day shaped entirely by their own healing journey. Every schedule is carefully designed by a team of doctors after a thorough consultation, so whether someone is here to manage stress, tackle chronic ailments, or just to reset, the retreat feels tailored and intentional.

The food here becomes a conversation in itself. Kshemavana follows a grain-free diet, something that sounds tough at first—no rice, no wheat, not even tea or coffee. But the surprise comes when you realize how satisfying and creative the meals are. With ingredients like fresh vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and dairy in the form of hung curd, the kitchen crafts something quite beautiful. It doesn’t feel like a compromise. In fact, after the first few days, most guests start noticing changes—not just in weight or energy but in how their body responds. Blood pressure readings improve. Blood sugar stabilizes. Their entire system starts to reset. There’s a sense of lightness that sets in quietly, without fanfare.

Behind these carefully prepared meals is a chef who understands both wellness and taste. He’s trained in traditional hotel kitchens and later moved into wellness cuisine. With experience from places like Jindal and others, he knows exactly how to balance nourishment with variety. He’s been experimenting with things like hung-curd-based ice creams and fruit-sweetened desserts that fit the program’s guidelines. The goal is simple—wellness food should never feel boring. And he’s succeeding.

Rooms at Kshemavana range across different categories. There are premium cottages with facilities like steam and sauna, mid-range options that offer comfort and easy access to therapy rooms, and budget accommodations for those who may not be able to afford much. For guests with BPL cards, the trust offers significantly reduced prices, staying true to its founding purpose of service and accessibility. Everything about the infrastructure is functional, calm, and clean—no unnecessary luxury, just thoughtful comfort.

The therapies here blend eastern and western practices. From naturopathy and yoga therapy to physiotherapy and even a bit of Ayurveda, guests are immersed in holistic care. Treatments like Shirodhara, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and more are prescribed based on each guest’s need. And while the therapies are diverse, what stands out is the calmness with which they’re delivered. Doctors and therapists are unhurried, compassionate, and genuinely interested in your wellbeing. That’s something money can’t buy.

Interestingly, Kshemavana isn’t just a place for guests; it’s also a learning ground. Dozens of naturopathy interns from across India come here for their training, getting exposure to real-world healing and patient care. These interns rotate across different campuses, gaining hands-on experience and contributing to the atmosphere of learning and attentiveness.

Sustainability is another quiet but essential part of Kshemavana. The retreat avoids plastic, using glass bottles instead. There are solar panels on a few buildings, and efforts are underway to install an organic waste converter that will transform food scraps into usable compost. On the horticulture side, they’ve already started growing vegetables like lettuce and are planting saplings for a custard apple orchard and other fruit-bearing trees. It’s not loud environmentalism—it’s just quietly responsible living.

The space itself is enveloped in green. There’s a peacefulness in the layout of the buildings, the pathways shaded by trees, and the occasional sight of a peacock (if you’re lucky and patient enough). For those used to traffic, screens, and constant movement, this retreat is the exact opposite. Time feels different here. And that’s the point.

The person behind the concept is Dr. Narendra Shetty, who helped design Kshemavana’s no-grain approach and its unique structure. While he travels often, his vision is felt in every part of the program. In his absence, operations are managed by a warm, experienced professional who, like many on the team, comes from a hospitality background. He understands what it means to offer care—not just service.

Guests often return, many more than once. Some have visited four or five times in the short span since Kshemavana opened. That kind of loyalty doesn’t happen without genuine results. Whether they’re coming back because they can’t stick to the lifestyle at home or because they want a seasonal reset, what matters is that the place stays with them.

Kshemavana isn’t dramatic. There’s no pitch, no pressure, no noise. It just quietly works. And in today’s world, that may be the most healing thing of all.