Stars Align at Sol Sanctuary at Aarunya Nature Resort in Sri Lanka

Photography by Harith Sankalpa & Aarunya Resort

Who couldn’t use a little R&R at this time of year? The holiday hustle is enough to wipe out even the most festive among us. Now might just be the perfect time to unwind at Aarunya Nature Resort's new wellness retreat, Sol Sanctuary, in Sri Lanka. Designed by the resort’s founder, architect Nath Rankothge, and his father, environmentalist Lal Rankothge, the two-bedroom villa elevates vacation relaxation with architecture crafted for spiritual restoration and immersion in nature.

Set within Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands on a private 10-acre estate and built by local craftsmen, the 165-square-meter Aarunya Nature Resort (part of the new Aahaasa Collection) overlooks the UNESCO-listed Knuckles Mountain Range. Sol Sanctuary is physically set apart from the resort's other nine villas and draws from local traditions of celestial orientation and sacred geometry.

"Sol Sanctuary’s domes and skylights are oriented to align with solar and lunar movements, connecting guests to celestial cycles," Nath says. "This enhances the sense of time and wonder and invites guests to experience the interplay of light, shadow, and the night sky."

The name Sol Sanctuary, meaning “first rays of the sun” in Sanskrit, reinforces this connection to the cosmos. Expansive verandas overlooking the surrounding forest encourage an indoor-outdoor flow that helps guests reconnect with themselves and the rhythms of nature.

That connection is palpable as guests approach: The domed stone facade gives way to raw elegance indoors. Reused timber for handmade furniture, hand-cut stone, and open-air rain showers foster alignment with nature, while a crescent-moon-shaped plunge pool and oculi for stargazing evoke a meditative, restorative atmosphere.

Beyond Sol Sanctuary, Nath and his father sought to honor Sri Lanka's natural beauty and architectural heritage throughout Aarunya. "We blended influences from the local Kandyan ambalama [an open-sided structure for travelers to rest] with universal, celestial forms linked to spiritual development," Nath says. "Returning to Sri Lanka and reconnecting with my roots was a driving force, along with a desire to create harmony between people, land, and spirit."

Environmental connection extends to the property’s amenities. At Aarogya Wellness Centre and Spa, guests can embark on personalized wellness journeys with treatments, consultations with Ayurveda doctors, and forest-framed yoga, pilates, and aqua movement. Menus follow the seasons at Aahaara Speciality, a signature traditional mudhouse restaurant. And curated nature walks, birdwatching trails, and sunrise yoga offer ways to explore the region’s biodiversity.

With nature at the center, it's no surprise that Aarunya is hyper-focused on sustainability. "Ecological integrity is central to Aarunya," Nath shares. "We followed a low-density development model (10 villas over 10 acres), preserved natural topography, and ensured no trees were cut." The estate is also solar-powered, plastic-free, and water self-sufficient, to boot. All wastewater is treated and recycled for landscaping, which relies on natural fertilizers and holistic land management.

Aaryuna Nature Resort was created to engage guests in a sustainable, nature-based journey. At Sol Sanctuary, Nath says, they want visitors to "feel peace, restoration, and a deep sense of belonging—to land, community, and themselves. The villa is designed for immersive wellness, contemplative spaces, and authentic Sri Lankan hospitality."

—Dalene Rovenstine