Mughal magnificence now finds a new meaning at Kaya Kalp -The Royal Spa, a regal new addition to ITC’s 35-acre resort hotel, The Mughal, at Agra. The Spa experience is spread across an area covering more than 99,000 square feet, where guests will have the opportunity of experiencing traditional therapies, in interiors that celebrate the opulence and grandeur of the Mughal dynasty. A magnificent oasis of tranquility, The Royal Spa follows Mughal tradition in its extensive use of greenery and water, both important elements in gardens laid out by the Mughals It is well known that it was Babar, the first Mughal Emperor, who brought into India his concept of gardens, with running water channels, fountains, fragrant flowers and fruit bearing trees.

These are referred to as the ‘Gardens of Paradise’, in the Emperor’s chronicle, ‘The Babur Nama’.. Beginning with the premise that water was scarce, water channels were created and the fragrance of blossoming fruit trees and birdsong, were all important elements of this ‘Firdaus’, which in Persian means ‘paradise’. In designing Kaya Kalp – The Royal Spa, Delhi based architect and landscape designer, Pradeep Sachdeva has achieved a close synthesis between indoor and outer spaces highlighting many influences of Mughal landscaping and architecture. The interior designers M/S P49 Design & Associates of Bangkok, have recreated the very essence of the gardens created by the Mughals and their concept of ‘paradise’. This may be seen in the extensive use of running water, fountains, outdoor rain water showers, courts full of greenery open to the skies and interiors embellished with stone latticework, mother of pearl, inlay and mirror work. A visit to the spa may be considered a journey through a world of regal luxury and pampering – the fabled India that travelers from across the seas, wrote about in their memoirs. In salutation to Mughal Emperor, Babar, the pomegranate fruit has been adapted as the theme, or liet motif, of this very regal spa. It is widely believed that Babar, was responsible for bringing in a wide variety of fruit, including the ‘pomegranate’ to India from his home land, Ferghana. At Kaya Kalp, ruby red pomegranates are an important design element, used on walls, the ceiling and on the white terrazzo flooring – which offers a dramatic inlay of red engineered stone, sweeping across the floor.

The Mughal mood is heightened at the open-air 25 - metre lap pool, surrounded by relaxation areas. Set within a garden of fruit-bearing trees, green lawns and flowers, this is where specialty poolside treatments will be offered as well as refreshments and snacks - in keeping with the mood of the spa. It is important to consider that India was one of only 12 countries worldwide to win the first Aga Khan Award, instituted in 1980. At that period in time, ITC Mughal, was singled out for the award for “successfully achieving consistency with historical context.” The award’s committee described the hotel as “an expression of the culture and rich architectural tradition of the region with an entirely contemporary vocabulary of forms.” With the addition of the Spa, a whole new dimension has been added to the hotel’s architecture – which was inspired by the use of space at ‘Fatehpur Sikri’, the abandoned city built by Mughal Emperor, Akbar. In keeping with the hotel’s ambience, Kaya Kalp – the Royal Spa, adds to the Mughal mood through close attention to detailing, while maintaining its contemporary idiom.


Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal and India’s most famous tourist destination, now comes to you with a new perspective and what may be considered, ‘a living experience of paradise’. Reflective of the Imperial Dynasty whose opulence and glory held the world in awe, the resort ambience of ITC Mughal – part of Starwood’s superior ‘Luxury Collection’ brand - is now enhanced with the addition of ninety-nine thousand square feet of luxury. Kaya Kalp -The Royal Spa was recognized by an award from UK’s Tattler Magazine last September , when it featured as the Best City Spa in 2008, in their Spa Special. Asia Spa has recognized the spa at an award ceremony held on 8th April 2009 in the following categories: Best new Spa of the Year, Best Spa interiors and Best Spa Marketing Award. In addition to the above awards, the royal spa also bagged award at the Asia Spa & Wellness Festival (Malaysia) in Bangkok in April 2009. Best Resort Spa : Kaya Kalp – The Royal Spa at ITC Mughal, Agra, India.