Next up on my hotel series is the charming boutique hotel, Amrit Bhawan. Nestled on the serene banks of the Ganges, Amrit Bhawan in Haridwar is a boutique hotel with a story as enchanting as its location. Once a cherished family holiday home, this property was transformed into a boutique retreat in 2018, offering a blend of personal history and contemporary comfort.
The hotel’s director, Varun Bajaj, shares an intimate connection with the property, having been in his family for over 40 years. Varun kindly took the time to speak with me about the property, where he opens up about the journey of Amrit Bhawan, reflecting on its evolution from a family sanctuary to a serene escape for travellers. He also sheds light on the timeless charm of Haridwar, a city steeped in spirituality and culture. This post takes you behind the scenes, offering a glimpse into the soul of Amrit Bhawan and the vibrant life of Haridwar.
Photo credit - Varun Bajaj
What inspired you to start Amrit Bhawan, and how does it reflect the local culture and traditions of Haridwar?
Haridwar is often seen purely as a religious destination. However, growing up, we would visit Amrit Bhawan, then a family holiday home, for leisure, enjoying the riverside and cozy bonfires in the garden. Built in 1970, the property was used extensively through the 80s and 90s. Gradually, it started being used less and less and felt out of date. In 2018, when we decided to renovate Amrit Bhawan and share it with a larger audience, we wanted it to embody the many facets of Haridwar, right from its beautiful mixed architecture and pastel color palette, to its culinary heritage, stunning natural beauty, and, of course, its spirituality.
Consequently, the architecture blends traditional Art Deco elements with contemporary accents from local bazaars. Our food is made with local ingredients, drawing on family recipes and homestyle dishes that are hard to find in restaurants. Originally a sacred grove for meditating hermits and ascetics, Haridwar has really grown and become rather busy. With our lush garden and private ghat, our guests get a chance to experience Haridwar like the old days, with plenty of one-on-one time with the Ganges.
Amrit Bhawan is full of charm and character from its previous life as a family home. Can you share some of your favourite furniture pieces and decor items that have been upcycled from older pieces within the property?
The terrazzo flooring tiles in the corridors are original and of great quality, truly reminiscent of the original house. In the library, there's a wooden table with mother-of-pearl inlay and a retro book cabinet that have always been around—I love both those pieces and cannot imagine the space without them. Another innovative example of upcycling is the metal grills installed as luggage backers in all the rooms. These grills have different ornamental designs and were procured from a scrapyard—they are still very popular across the city to secure glass windows. It feels good to find beauty and utility in the mundane.
One of my favorite new additions is an interactive installation made with traditional khartals (handheld wooden instruments with metal discs, often used to accompany the Ganga Aarti) on the first-floor verandah wall, a truly local piece of art. Upcycling of furniture is just one aspect, though.
Our biggest achievement is that we have managed to upskill and retain all the original staff members of Amrit Bhawan when it was just a family home, and have trained them to grow in their roles or take on new ones.
I know that the property focuses on keeping the food simple and as local as possible. What would you say are your most popular dishes that guests like to enjoy during their stay?
Our Uttarakhand thali is definitely the most popular dish. The Haridwar ki Chaats (local street food snacks) are also a hit, recreated hygienically at the property. Personally, I love some of our family recipes like Algu's Kathi Roll and homestyle dishes like Rajma Chawal. Our pastas, which are made fresh from scratch, and our home-baked millet breads are also very good. We offer a range of local snacks and condiments under the brand name Naashta, which guests can enjoy and take home as gifts.
Photo credit - Varun Bajaj
Can you describe the unique experiences and activities that Amrit Bhawan offers to its guests to immerse them in the spiritual and cultural essence of Haridwar?
Every evening, we have the Ganga Aarti exclusively for our guests at our private ghat, and a yoga session is organized every morning. Somedays, we also offer sound healing sessions in the evening after the Aarti, which are very special. Other than this, our Garhwali cooking class and desi maalish massages are very popular.
In terms of exploring the city, our signature experiences include three walking trails that highlight the city's cultural and architectural heritage: the Har Ki Pauri Market Tour for the spiritually inclined, the Daksh Mandir and Kankhal walk for architecture aficionados and foodies, and the Chandi Devi Hike and Picnic for nature lovers and those who enjoy soaking in views from a vantage point. Some other unique experiences include the Wildlife Safari at Rajaji National Park, which is just 20 minutes away from the property, and white water rafting in Rishikesh. We organise both these activities for guests on request.
Photo credit - Varun Bajaj
Many travellers think of Varanasi when considering the River Ganges and cultural sightseeing, often not knowing about the possibility of Haridwar. What would you say makes Haridwar a special destination that should be included in an itinerary to India?
Haridwar offers a stunning location with the Himalayas as a backdrop. It has the intensity and cultural richness of Varanasi, while providing enough opportunities for respite with its beautiful natural setting and cooler climate. With its proximity to Rishikesh, it is also a great place for yoga enthusiasts. The water of the Ganga here is much cleaner than in Varanasi, being 900 km upriver. In terms of cultural significance, both cities are very important in Hinduism and offer unique insights to the curious traveler. Haridwar is where the Kumbh Mela, one of the largest pilgrim festivals on Earth, happens every 12 years (with a smaller one taking place every 6 years). The next one is slated for early 2028.
Haridwar is just 200 km from Delhi, making it convenient to reach by car or train (3-4 hours), with Dehradun Airport being the closest, located just 1 hour away from the city. Overall, it provides a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and spiritual significance that makes it a must-visit destination and distinctly different from Varanasi.
Photo credit - Varun Bajaj
Photo credit - Varun Bajaj
If you're eager to experience the enchantment of Haridwar and indulge in the warm hospitality of Amrit Bhawan for yourself, reach out to me. I’ll create a personalised itinerary that ensures your journey is both memorable and perfectly suited to your interests.
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