Obama enjoyed spa before taking plunge in busiest India day

Before starting his busiest day during his India visit, US President Barack Obama today first hit the luxurious spa -- Kaya Kalp -- at the ITC Maurya here for a work out before heading to the breakfast table.

Obama and US First Lady Michelle are staying at the ITC Maurya on Sardar Patel Marg since yesterday when they reached the national capital during the second leg of their visit to India. The President went to the spa Kaya Kalp -- a Sanskrit word meaning rejuvenation of mind, body and soul -- in the morning before heading for his official engagement and had a "nice, enjoyable" workout, a senior hotel official said.
After the workout at the spa, which offers western style therapies using luxurious products that are natural, Obama and Michelle headed to the table for a breakfast which included Indian and continental varities.

"He had sandwiches and some bakery stuff," the official said. ut the officials are mum on the Obama platter. "We will tell you later" was the refrain of hotel officials when enquired about it.

In the afteroon, Obamas also received Vice President Hamid Ansari, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition of Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj at the hotel.
The Obamas were given a traditional "Brides of India" reception at the hotel when they reached there yesterday evening with two young girls attired in a Rajasthani lehenga and a Bengali saree welcoming them.

The US President and the First Lady were received at the hotel, located in a 5.5 acre plot on Sardar Patel Marg, by ITC Chairman Y C Deveshwar. ll the 440 rooms, including the 29 uniquely-designed suites, of the hotel have been booked by the US authorities for Obama's delegation and US Secret Services have secured the facility for the stay of the President.

Obama is the third US President to stay in the ITC Maurya in the past 10 years. In 2000, the then US President Bill Clinton stayed at the hotel, while six years later, George W Bush also chose the same facility.