I’m perhaps part of a cohort of Millennials who became religious and spiritual during the pandemic. When situations feel bleak and distressing, people often seek comfort. For me, it all began with reading Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master: A Yogi's Autobiography by spiritual guide and yogi Sri M during the Covid-19 lockdown.
From there, there was no looking back, and I started to develop an interest in knowing more about Hinduism, religion and spirituality. Once the lockdown eased, I found myself indulging in spiritual and religious tourism, often taking my mother along. And, with it came the big question of staying at properties that would be clean, comfortable, safe and give us a memorable experience.
Finding good accommodation can often be a challenge in religious destinations due to the sheer number of visitors. For me, where I stay is an integral part of my travel experience—I love discovering a great property. So, when I decided to escape Delhi’s pollution with my senior citizen parents, we decided to visit Haridwar, Uttarakhand.
Maa Ganga (river Ganges) has a special place in my heart, so I wanted to stay at a hotel with its own private ghat (bathing wharf). Taking a dip in the waters of the sacred Ganga was my top priority, but I didn’t want to do it at a public ghat. After exploring countless options, I came across Devnadi - The Heritage Hotel.
It wasn’t too expensive and had glowing reviews. This 150-year-old haveli has been restored into a quaint heritage.