The name says it all. Amaidiyana is the Tamil word for peace, and at this CGH Earth retreat on the quiet fringes of Auroville, that promise is architectural, culinary, and deeply felt.
Designed by Auroville-based architect Mona Doctor Pingel, the spaces are built from hand-cut stone, reclaimed wood, and locally forged metal, all shaped by local artisans rather than factory finishes. The result is a retreat that feels lived-in rather than constructed. A standout is the Japanese Heiwa Room, its roof shaped like two palms in prayer, centred around a rock garden designed to invite stillness and balance.
Therapeutically, the retreat offers something genuinely rare. Watsu Aqua Therapy, a Japanese healing practice conducted in warm water, is described as a feeling of being completely held. Ayurveda, yoga, and meditation complete a wellness programme that is considered comprehensive.
The kitchen draws from an organic garden and Auroville’s artisanal producers, bringing the same quiet intentionality to the table that defines every corner of the property. For those who arrive carrying the weight of the world, Sanctuary Amaidiyana is a good place to set it down.
The hills near Alwar hold many secrets. Fort Dadhikar, a property over a thousand years old, happens to be one of the more extraordinary ones
