Wellness Should Fit Into Your Life Not Force You to Change
When Dr. Manoj Kutteri arrived at Atmantan Wellness Centre in 2015, the wellness movement in India was still in its infancy.
When Dr. Manoj Kutteri arrived at Atmantan Wellness Centre in 2015, the wellness movement in India was still in its infancy. “Nobody knew what wellness truly meant,” he recalls. “You had yoga centers, Ayurveda clinics, or naturopathy hospitals, but nothing that truly integrated it all.” Today, he sits at the helm of one of India’s most acclaimed integrated wellness destinations, nestled in the Sahyadris near Mulshi, leading it with vision, science, and soul.
Over the years, the journey has been nothing short of transformative. “The concept of wellness itself has changed. Now, we are deeply rooted in serious wellness. We have moved into managing autoimmune disorders and gut-induced problems. We are even planning microbiome studies and publishing clinical research on our case studies,” says Dr. Manoj.
What sets Atmantan apart is its blend of ancient wisdom and modern science. “We practice full Ayurvedic Panchakarma here—not just massages, but the actual karma,” he explains. “From Snehapana to Vamana, Virechana, and Basti—we follow the texts. We combine that with naturopathy, physiotherapy, fitness science, functional medicine, and diet therapy.”
A huge part of this transformation was shaped by their shift in nutritional philosophy. A huge part of this transformation was shaped by their shift in nutritional philosophy. “Pre-COVID, we served lean meats. But over time, we saw more value in eliminating it,” Dr. Manoj says. “We now use eggs as the only non-veg source—but only when necessary. Especially for autoimmune patients, plant proteins can be inflammatory because they carry a carb-protein mix. Eggs are easier on an inflamed gut. It’s fat and protein—simple.”
Their deep dive into gut health comes from real-time results. “We have seen brilliant recoveries. And it’s not just theory,” he affirms.
Talking about Atmantan, he says it’s not just the science, but also the spirit of the place that makes the place so special. “Our name itself—Atma, Mana, Tan—means soul, mind, and body. It was coined by our founders to reflect that trinity,” he shares. “Mrs. Sharmilee Kapur is a healer, very into energy work. Mr. Nikhil Kapur is into fitness. So, from day one, we wanted this place to be about more than just therapies—it had to heal holistically.”
That’s where pillars like emotional well-being, self-reflection, and social support come in. “Mental health still carries a stigma in India. But it’s vital,” says Dr. Manoj. “Every touchpoint at Atmantan is trained to recognise a guest’s value, whether they know your health history or not. They understand they are part of your healing.”
And yes, that also includes sleep. “We tested five mattresses before finalising one recommended by the Chiropractic Association in the US,” he smiles. “Even our nutrition supplements—everything is manufactured in-house in our facility in Karnataka. We have a US-trained food scientist. Our omega-3s come from wild-caught Indian sardines, not salmon. The toxicity is negligible, and we don’t heat-process oils to preserve their efficacy.”
From the air you breathe to the crystals beneath your feet, Atmantan’s attention to energy is unwavering. “We discovered these crystals during excavation. At first, workers thought they were valuable and tried to sell them. Then we were told these crystals power the land. So we kept them here. People say the energy is high—better sleep, deeper meditation. It adds to healing.”
As someone with over 25 years of experience in the field of wellness, Dr. Manoj knows how Atmantan stands apart. “There are several naturopathy centres where the diets are pre-prescribed, not personalised. Here, everything is curated—from your treatments to what you eat.”
Atmantan is also NABH-accredited and offers insurance reimbursements for most serious therapies. “We have an aftercare program, too. Our team handholds you even after you leave—monitoring your diet, tapering your medications, reading your blood work,” he says. “We even offer online consultations to new patients who haven’t been here.”
The centre is also a beacon of sustainability. “We are a LEED-certified green project. Our solar setup produces 50,000 litres of hot water daily. Our sewage treatment is chemical-free—using flower bed filtration. Even our lighting is designed to minimise impact on nature,” he says with pride.
Despite newer wellness retreats mushrooming across the country, Atmantan’s integration of traditions, science, and personalisation keeps it unique. “People don’t lack money today—they lack time,” Dr. Manoj says. “If they are spending a few days for their health, the results must speak. That’s why integration matters.”
With over 380 staff members serving 75 rooms, and 16 consulting doctors across Ayurveda, naturopathy, physiotherapy, and fitness, Atmantan’s doctor-to-patient ratio is one of the best in the country.
“I believe healing must be practical,” Dr. Manoj concludes. “Ancient sciences work beautifully—but we must adapt them to modern lives. After all, wellness should fit into your life—not force you to change your life overnight.”
At Atmantan, it’s not just a stay—it’s a shift. One that begins in the gut and ripples out to the soul.