At a time when the world is debating the profits and losses of genetically modified crops and about people developing resistance to medicines due to irrational use, there are some who are promoting the fundamental principles of nature, through Ayurveda, often termed the science of life (Ayur means life and veda means science). It would be a repeat to state here that Ayurvedic treatments are an antidote to the modern-day maladies, which are mostly lifestyle related. Obesity, spondylitis, diabetes, arthritis, and premature ageing, Ayurveda has answers to all of them and more.
Quite a few places for rejuvenation today offer people treatments for these ailments based on Ayurveda. Kairali, an Ayurvedic ‘health village’ in Kerala, is one such place. It not only offers Ayurvedic treatments but also offers to its customers a serene environment and soul-stirring food.
Far from the maddening crowd, Kairali is tucked away in Palakkad district of Kerala. Set amidst palm, coconut, teak and mango trees and paddy fields. “I come here for relaxation and rejuvenation every now and then,’’ says Muhammed, a businessman from Saudi Arabia. He and his brothers are regular visitors to Kairali. Though he goes to the U.S. and Europe for holidays, he finds the culture of the East easier to adapt. “Sufi Muslims also meditate like what people here do and the place is accessible,’’ he says, adding, it is just about 60 km from the Coimbatore airport.
Primarily into the manufacture of Ayurvedic products, the Kairali group started Kairali Ayurvedic Health Resort in the late ’80s but eventually converted it into Ayurvedic Healing Village. “We did not want it to look like a hospital with patients coming in. So, we made it into a resort-cum-healing village where people could enjoy their stay in the healthiest possible way,’’ explains Gita Ramesh, its Joint Managing Director.
The 30 villas conform to the principles of Vaastu Shastra. Each villa is named after an astrological star. It offers only vegetarian food. A guest has to abstain from alcohol, smoking and sex. Though the resort has all the modern facilities, including television, guests are advised not to watch too much television or read too much so that they get a real break from their routine. Yoga, massages, treatments and meditation form part of the daily routine here.
Diseases like paralysis, arthritis, rheumatism, bone and joint disorders, slipped disc, nervous disorders and life style related ailments are treated here. “In most cases, there is an improvement of almost 80 per cent after Kairali’s Ayurvedic treatment. If treated in the initial stage, the results can be 100 per cent,’’ claims T.R. Chadrasekharan, the doctor in charge of the Village.
“From the time we started our first centre in Delhi, there has been a lot of awareness among people about what Ayurveda can do. We have domestic as well as international clients now,” says Ramesh. The domestic customers are usually young people, primarily from the IT sector, who can afford the expensive treatments at the resort. “But the international guests belong to older generation who have money to spend on their health.”
The packages are for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days depending on the requirement and guest preference.
Ayurveda propagates a two way healing process — preventive and curative. The preventive aspect works towards raising the efficiency of the immune system, for which detoxification of the body is necessary and the curative component successfully eliminates any ailment.
Today, Kairali has established itself in three continents and nine countries, and is now looking at venturing into a full range of herbal toiletries which will be provided to various hospitality partners. The group manufactures its medical and cosmetic products at Pollachi in Tamil Nadu. It has resorts in Karnataka and Goa too but the one at Palakkad has been declared as World’s Top 50 Wellness destinations and among the Top 10 in Asia by the National Geographic Travellers publication.
