FOLLOWING THE MUSE

A growing cohort of travellers are seeking more than just ticking off sight-seeing boxes on their vacation. They are gravitating towards art and writing retreats to connect with nature and nurture their creative souls

- Ravi Raj

Nine years ago, Chetan Mahajan, an entrepreneur and published author who had spent most of his life navigating the labyrinth of the corporate world, decided to relocate to a Himalayan village in Uttarakhand. It was in this idyllic verdant valley where he had an epiphany—to create a space where writers, aspiring or established, could retreat from the chaos of urban life and immerse themselves in their craft, without worrying about the logistics of accommodation. Inspired by this vision, Mahajan started The Himalayan Writing Retreat, a sanctuary for creative professionals where they can disconnect from the frantic, fast-paced life of the city, and work on their craft, in harmony with the serene beauty of nature. Mahajan started this project by renting a four-bedroom house from his friend, and now it has grown into India's largest retreat solely dedicated to writers. “Amidst the nature and silence if I can provide a good instructor, then it can be a wonderful place for people to pursue and hone their writing. What makes the retreat special is that it allows you to unplug from the distractions of urban life. You don't have to worry about emails from your boss. You escape the drudgeries and engage fully with your craft,” says Mahajan.