It’s a quiet, fragrant evening in Varanasi as I make my way to Nadesar Palace’s Jiva Spa. A two-hour ‘ancient ceremonial cleansing ritual’ awaits me while I take my time sipping a Taj special honey and lemon tea. A relaxed steam follows and I am soon changed and wrapped in bits of muslin, then led to a sunken marble basin, liberally smothered with rose petals gently bobbing in a warm water bath. Their heady scent, coupled with sweet incense sticks and rich scrubs and pastes lying alongside are already enveloping me in a hypnotised mist. Filigreed brass pots hover imposingly, filled to the brim with sacred Ganges water which is poured over my head as soothing chants fill the air in rapture. Panchamruta, a secret paste of five natural ingredients (I do recognise honey and cow’s milk, even in my hazy state), is tenderly scrubbed into my every pore and lightly washed off. The softly lit lanterns then bear witness to a smooth sandalwood paste that I am generously anointed with. A languorous 45 minutes later, I am reluctantly roused and led to another round of soothing pleasure. Floral scented oils massage and knead my knotted nerves and cramped joints; calming, freeing and nurturing my system. Must I ever waken from this land of heaven.... I stop and savour my last few moments here, snugly ensconced on a chaise longue, warmed to my toes with a second round of nectar-like tea. I’m ready for another blend of balance and pampering now; a nourishing and finger-licking, traditional gourmet ‘Satvik’ thali spread by the poolside – something to end the evening on the same high note it began with.

Nadesar Palace, Varanasi.
Tel: +91-542-2503-001 through -019.
Fax: +91-542-2501-406.
Email: nadesar.varanasi@tajhotels.com

MONSOON THERAPY
Myrah, the luxury day spa at Juhu, Mumbai, celebrates the rains with new treatments

Ainhoa Bio Facial
For the prolonged effects on the cellular structure of the skin and the production of new collagen fibres.

Aloe Herbal Polish
Made of 65 herbs, it is good for sunburn, de-tanning and cooling skin. It gently exfoliates your skin promoting cellular renovation and refining pores.

Divine Rose Aroma Massage
This customised, holistic massage done with a special cream with rose extract, relieves stress, improves blood circulation and relaxes the muscles. Rose extract contains AHA which perfectly peels off dead skin cells, making the skin smooth and giving it a detanned, uniform tone.

Hibiscus and Caviar Envelopment
Dried hibiscus flowers are mixed with massage cream with caviar extract and spread all over your body in soft and relaxing movements. After this you are cocooned in a thermal sheet for deeper penetration of all the ingredients and to enhance the effects of hibiscus and caviar in your skin.

The Royal Organic Facial
With all ingredients being natural plant-based 100 per cent organic, ths facial calms, tones and refreshes the skin, restoring its natural vitality and radiance. The mask has recuperating and balancing power; it calms and minimises skin reactivity and immediately gives a youthful and luminous effect.

The Royal Signature Massage
This massage is dedicated to the special Royal Aura in each person.
- ARTI SARIN

MYRAH, 11 Palm Springs Society, J.V.P.D Scheme, Mumbai 400 049.

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