Founded in 2016 by authors Chetan Mahajan and Vandita Dubey, the Himalayan Writing Retreat is a residential facility dedicated to the literary arts. Many writers go to The Himalayan Writing Retreat to simply stay and write in serenity, inspired by the majesty of the Himalayas. The retreat also offers domestic and international programs. The domestic courses include poetry, writing, translation and storytelling, which the resident may be able to attend if happening during their stay.
In 2024, the Himalayan Writing Retreat launched the Himalayan Emerging Writers Residency to provide an opportunity for writers from South Asia to live, learn and write with the Himalayas as their muse. The residency aims to help writers finish their writing projects and make their debut, providing an escape from the everyday monotony to focus on their craft. This residency will provide the Villa Swagatam resident an opportunity to interact with ten fellow writers from the region.
The retreat is part of a vibrant community of thoughtful and ecologically conscious organizations. A few kilometers down the road is Aarohi, an NGO with a strong focus on healthcare. Chirag is another NGO which runs a School and does much work for greening the place and maintaining the limited water resources and much more. Old Hill Cheese is a social enterprise where local women have been trained in making artisanal cheese. This, together with the beauty of the landscape and architecture of the place, makes for a perfect environment to think, interact and write.
Located in the Indian Himalayas, at an altitude of 2171 meters, the retreat is cool in the summers and cold in the winters. The local area has many walks, both on the road and through forested land. There is a forest reserve about a mile away. The village of Mukteshwar town, easily accessible by foot, has a temple and is a popular tourist destination. Other noteworthy places nearby include the Dhokaney waterfall and the touristy gateway of Bhimtal, Nainital and Binsar.
While most basic amenities are within walking distance from the retreat, other places can be reached by taxi or public transport, although that is very limited. The staff can help arrange taxis for the resident if informed in advance.
The Himalayan Writing Retreat has been conceived in an ecological spirit, following the principles of traditional architecture and water-saving systems. It is run with the vision that it should have minimal impact on the planet, therefore harvesting rainwater, recycling and composting all the waste.