Ayurveda is an art of daily living in harmony with the laws of nature. It aims to maintain the perfect health of a healthy person through prevention and to cure disease in an unhealthy person through proper diet, lifestyle, panchakarma, and rejuvenation.
The Indian state of Kerala revived this ancient knowledge a few decades ago. Visitors to this ‘God’s own Country’ soon recognised its positive attributes to health and came here for a wellness holiday, making Ayurveda a key component of tourism to the state. Many Ayurveda wellness centres have come up across the state. I got to visit and experience a few of the popular ones in Kerala state’s central region on a five-day pre-KTM (Kerala Travel Mart) fam trip recently.
Sree Chithra Ayurhome.
Our tour started at Sree Chithra Ayurhome in Chavakkad. Located on land by the backwaters, guest rooms and treatment centres are built around the central courtyard of a four-cornered house consisting of two floors. This makes for a homely atmosphere. A few additional rooms have recently been added in the two enclosures close to the water banks on the rear side. Ravi Varma, Director of Sales & Marketing, Sree Chithra Ayurhome, said, ” The owners, being third generation doctors, understand client needs well and guests get good treatment. We get clients from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East; most know us through word of mouth. We do attend ITB and WTM”. The owner couple are doctors from a lineage of doctors since the 18th century.
They have a second ayurvedic resort by the nearby beach. There is sattvic(healthy) food consisting of lentils, rice, salad, vegetables and a payasam (traditional milk and jaggery-based dessert). Dr Pratibha Madhusudan, Sree Chitra Ayurhome, said: “Ayurveda treatments are considered more effective when administered near a water body. We have treated guests with different ailments. I also impart online training to students of Ayurveda and visit Australia for training and inspection.” Dr Pratibha has recently retired from being a doctor at Kerala Government Hospitals. She’s helping Sarah Vanis, Course owner and Principal at Aligning Health Retreat in Australia, to impart Ayurveda and yoga courses to enrolled students.
Dr Couple at Sree Chithra Ayurhome.
Our stay here was short, as we had to leave after a healthy breakfast of putty and dosa to inspect three other popular Ayurvedic resorts near Nattika Beach.
Some guests travel with family, whereas others might not want to take Ayurveda. Au Revoir retreat caters to guests with mixed necessities. Mr Khalid, Owner of Au Revoir, said: “Ours is a family-oriented resort that also offers rejuvenating ayurveda treatments.” The serene atmosphere here has a healing touch. The scenic retreat is on one of the Malampuzha hills, with seven rivers flowing down to the 32 km dam below. Mr Khalid said: “3 of those streams run through our resort. People can come here for peace of mind, just like I do, whenever I need a healthy break. Proximity to both Coimbatore and Kochi airports make our resort easily accessible.”
Au Revoir has lawns and various flowerbeds to suit its picturesque location. Cottages overlook the surrounding mountains or the dam below. The resort has 25 rooms in three categories. It currently has two treatment rooms and will add six more by January.
Being at the Yoga hall at dawn was a pleasant experience. Perched high and secluded from the rest of the retreat, it seemed a perfect place to practice yoga with the resort General Manager Chandralekha, who has a master’s in yoga. Girish, the yoga teacher, explained each posture’s scientific relevance and healing touch to the particular organ of the body well. A few birds and a peacock in the background made their presence felt with their cries. The unique feature was the fireplace behind the yoga hall, where guests could walk the fire during evenings.
Kairali Healing Village.
There are certain general features at all authentic Ayurvedic resorts. They serve only sattvic, or healthy vegetarian food with less oil and fewer spices. Most of them grow their organic vegetables. They also prepare their herbal teas and medicines. An in-house doctor consultation is necessary before opting for any massage -whether for rejuvenation or treatment of a specific ailment. Traditional wood tables are used for massages. Male or female masseurs treat guests of the respective genders. Yoga and meditation are part of Ayurveda treatment and are mostly practised at dawn and dusk.
Our next stay was at Kairali Ayurvedic Healing Village (AHV) near Palakkad. The 116-year-old establishment started as a factory manufacturing ayurvedic medicine and later pioneered in starting an ayurvedic resort. It’s aptly called a healing village since the resort is spread over fifteen acres of lush green campus adjoined by their organic farms of 65 acres. They grow most of their fruits, vegetables, coconuts and even rice. All Cottages spread across the campus have a personal space. A walk to the swimming pool (amidst tall trees), dining place, yoga hall or treatment centre was refreshing as one had to cross the freshwater stream that meandered through the resort.
Kairali has 11 ayurvedic centres across India and abroad in Japan, UAE, Mauritius, Thailand, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Kuwait. It has been winning accolades and bagged four awards at the World Luxury Spa Awards for best Yoga and wellness, best Wellness Healing Retreat, Best Luxury Holistic Retreat, and best Ayurveda Spa this year.
Treatment centre at Kairali Healing Village.
Kairali offered many activities, including cooking demonstrations, a meditation walk through its campus, a visit to its organic garden and the nearby village, and yoga and meditation. After consultation with the doctor, two masseurs offered person-specific Ayurveda massages for each guest in a dedicated treatment block.
Ingrid Zalneva from Austria said: “Ayurveda is everywhere in Austria. There are so many places to get Ayurveda medicine or treatment. But the experience of getting a massage here in India is better because of the whole environment.” Yazdi, a guest from Jordan, said it was his third visit to Kairali in the last two years. He had gotten rid of extra weight and was cured of his age-related ailment, and he has now made it a habit to take a week’s break here during his India visits.
Ramayana is an Indian epic that upholds moral values, including paying off one’s past karmas to attain moksha or oneness with the universe. That evening, a unique entertainment of the traditional shadow play depicting Ramayana was organised at Kairali, enthralling all guests. A dying art, the leather puppets are artistically enacted behind the screen while the burning fire torches cast a shadow.
Key contacts for enquiry:
Sreechitra Ayur Home +91 94463 32600, [email protected], www.sreechithraayurveda.com
Au Revoir Wellness Resort: +91 97784 12236, [email protected], www.aurevoir.co.in
Kairali Healing Village-+91 9555156156, [email protected], www.kairali.com
Written by Madhura Katti
