The Raga Svara Way: Wellness with Intention
Co-founder Mohit Patel on how the retreat blends ancient healing and modern science to create lasting mind-body transformation
“Wellness isn’t just about relaxation—it’s about creating lasting shifts in both body and mind,” says Mohit Patel, Co-Founder & CEO of Raga Svara. And when I stepped into this retreat, I realised his words captured the essence of this serene 26-acre retreat on the outskirts of Rajkot, where lush gardens, organic farms, and quiet corners invite you to slow down and simply be.
Once farmland, the land has been carefully nurtured and expanded by the same owners, transforming into a space that feels both rooted and alive. Nothing here feels forced. The trees haven’t been cut down to make room for design; instead, the design itself bends around nature. Even the buildings carry this honesty — with their bare concrete ceilings left unpainted, earthy tones, and sunlight filtering through open courtyards. The idea, Mohit says, is to create “honesty in design — letting every material show its true nature.”
At Raga Svara, wellness isn’t defined by luxury but by depth. The retreat blends Ayurveda, yoga, meditation, and mindful nutrition into experiences that speak to the whole person. The days begin early — with yoga at Antara, the retreat’s yoga hall — as soft light seeps through the trees. Guests gather on mats for breathwork, asanas, and pranayama guided by in-house instructors.
Later in the morning, you will find guests walking barefoot across dew-kissed lawns on their way to their therapies or consultations. Every guest starts with a detailed assessment covering lifestyle, diet, stress levels, and sleep patterns. From there, personalized programs are designed — some focused on detoxification, others on recovery, rejuvenation, or specific conditions.
Among the most popular is the Panchakarma Retreat, which Mohit describes as deeply transformative. “It’s an ancient Ayurvedic detoxification therapy that combines cleansing, massage, and herbal treatments to eliminate toxins and restore balance,” he explains. The process, he adds, often brings not just physical relief but emotional clarity too.
Guests can choose between different stay options — from restorative stays that focus on yoga and meditation, to comprehensive wellness packages that include consultations, therapies, and personalized diets. The villas, set amid trees and gardens, offer quiet privacy, while shared spaces like Bodhi (the meditation hall) and Antara (the yoga center) encourage introspection and stillness.
Food here, as I discovered, is another form of healing. The retreat follows a farm-to-table philosophy — much of what you eat is grown on the land itself. Walk through the garden and you will find spinach, chillies, pumpkin, mulberry, sugarcane, mint, and even medicinal herbs like brahmi and kasturi. The chef, who moved from Hyderabad after years of working in hotels and restaurants abroad, takes visible pride in this approach.
“Our menu is different for each day of the week,” he says. “We rotate between cuisines from Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Punjab — but always keep it light, seasonal, and balanced. We don’t use potatoes or heavy starches, and every dish is designed in consultation with the doctors to match the guest’s treatment plan.”
Meals are vegetarian, simple yet flavourful, often paired with herbal teas made from freshly plucked mint or tulsi leaves. Lunches are colourful, with local grains, lightly spiced lentils, and vegetables picked straight from the garden. Guests are encouraged to eat slowly, mindfully — to truly taste the food rather than rush through it.
Beyond the meals and therapies, it’s the small details, I felt, are what make Raga Svara unforgettable. A quiet library filled with books on philosophy and wellness. Mandala art on the walls. A sound healing session in the evening breeze. Even the Sanskrit names of spaces — Ekarnava (meaning “One Ocean and Boundless Sea”), Ekayana (“the one vehicle necessary for travelling through this ocean of life”) — remind you that every corner here carries intention.
Over the years, Mohit and his team have seen the definition of wellness evolve. “It’s no longer a weekend luxury,” he says. “People now understand that well-being comes from daily choices — how we eat, sleep, move, and even how we slow down.” That’s why guests don’t just come here to unwind; they come to learn small rituals they can carry home.
Each experience is crafted to touch both body and mind — whether it’s yoga by sunrise, guided journaling in the afternoon, or a walk among medicinal plants before dinner. The body often mirrors what the mind feels, so their treatments are designed to nurture both.
That philosophy flows through everything Raga Svara does — from its food and architecture to its healing programs. The result is a retreat that feels deeply human. It’s not about escaping life but returning to it with greater balance and awareness.
In the end, Raga Svara leaves you with a quiet understanding: wellness isn’t something you check into; it’s something you live.
