OUR STORY

ruAh was born from two journeys that began long before they met.

Aastha Ray -

An independent corporate lawyer from Chandigarh and founder of Ray Consultancy, with deep Himachali roots and a lifelong love for creativity, nature, and meaningful human connection.

Aastha always knew she would one day build a home in the mountains—one that celebrates community, art, music, poetry, and authentic living.

Since childhood, she travelled often to her father’s hometown in Himachal Pradesh, forming a deep bond with the land that would shape her journey. Over time, those family visits evolved into solo drives through winding valleys with her laptop, paintbrushes, and journal—balancing structure with creativity while finding clarity and peace in nature.

Alongside her legal work, she continued painting walls and canvases, sending her artwork across cities while quietly nurturing the dream that would one day become Ruah. Today, guests may also discover selected pieces from Art by Aastha Ray displayed within the cabins, artworks that are available for purchase, allowing visitors to take home a piece of the Ruah experience.

Kaushik Reddy -

An engineer, former game designer, hospitality entrepreneur, and natural host with a deep love for the mountains and meaningful human connection.

Originally from Hyderabad, Kaushik consciously transitioned into hospitality after travelling across India, Canada, and South America.

His bond with the mountains began during childhood visits to Himachal Pradesh and deepened through solo bike journeys across India—especially the long rides between Himachal and Hyderabad while building and running backpacker hostels in Bandal, Devuri, and Sharchi in the Tirthan Valley. Over the years, he has welcomed thousands of travellers into spaces shaped by warmth, community, and simplicity.

For Kaushik, a fulfilling life is rooted in authenticity, organic connection, and the freedom to live simply. His approach to hosting reflects the same ethos: grounded, thoughtful, and deeply caring toward both people and place.

Where Two Journeys Became One

Until 2023, Aastha Ray and Kaushik Reddy were walking their own paths—through the mountains, and inwardly through life itself. Their journeys met in Sharchi, where they instantly recognised a shared way of seeing the world.

As partners in love and in life, they began shaping a common dream through vision, planning, countless mountain drives, and endless conversations about design, nature, hospitality, and slow living—supported throughout by the love and encouragement of family and friends.

Today, Ruah stands as both their story and their sanctuary: a calm, intentional retreat created to help others pause, breathe deeply, and return to themselves.