AYUR VEDANTA: AN AYURVEDIC HOSPITAL

Ayur Vedanta, a popular Ayurvedic rejuvenating resort, is located 2.5 kms north of NH-47, at Kumbalam Island. Its sceneic beauty has also made it an ideal location for Ayurvedic tourism. The PWD road lies east of the centre.  This hospital is housed in traditional Kerala style buildings with sloping tiled roofs. The natural sylvan surroundings make it appealing. Their well furnished rooms accommodate customers from all over the world. They have landscaped the property with lawns fringed with potted plants, which are maintained properly. Their buildings and premises abut the sprawling Vembanad Lake on the western side. There is a peaceful and serene atmosphere. I sat on their granite bank to enjoy the evening breeze; gentle waves came and crashed on the granite bund that drenched my dangling feet. I marveled the varied hues of the setting sun on the western horizon and the Sea Gulls hovering over the Vembanad Backwater, to pick up shrimps, with their shrill cries. The spectacular view across the Vembanad Lake was overwhelming.

The new joint venture hospital is run by Mr. Sunil Paul Veliparambil, a real estate developer at   Kumbalam, and now residing in Holy Faith Apartments at Kundannur and Dr. Arun Ambu, son of Ambu Vaidyan, Kakkathara House, Palluruthy and they run it in association with Kerala Ayurveda Vaidya Sala at Palluruthy, (the latter’s family hospital, and all his brothers and sisters are Ayurvedic doctors and their ancestors too were traditional Ayurvedic ‘Vaidyans,’ physicians, which was established in the 1960’s. Ayur Vedanta is, no doubt, a modern medical cum tourism industry with vast scope for development. I am happy to learn that the hospital has started flourishing and has made a reputation in the invigorating touch of ‘Marma-chikitsa,’ treatment for the vital or vulnerable or susceptible spots in the human body, and other Ayurvedic therapies.

Ayurveda, which literally means the science of life, (Ayur = life, Veda = science.) It evolved from “Adharva Veda” and several other ancient treatises. The knowledge of Ayurveda was passed on orally through a lineage of sages in India until it was collated into written texts. The oldest known texts on Ayurveda are the “Charaka Samhita,” “Sushruta Samhita” and “Ashtanga-hrudaya.” These texts detail the effect of the five elements found in the cosmic system – earth, water, air, fire and space or time – have on our individual system, and expound on the importance of keeping these elements balanced for a healthy and happy life.

 Ayurveda system of traditional medicine is an ancient medical science, which was developed and practiced in India for over five thousand years. It is recognized by WHO, World Health Organization, as one of the traditional or alternative medicinal systems in existence in the world. In fact, history says, “Ayurveda is the mother of all medicines.”

At Ayur Vedanta health care center, there is treatment for ailments through therapies, massages, herbal medicines, diet control and exercise. Apart from that, a range of therapies are offered including basic massages like ‘Pizhichil’ or massage with the specially prepared warm medicated oil; ‘Navarakizhi’ or body is made to glow by applying medicated rice called ‘Navara,’ Paspalum frumentacoum; ‘Elakizhi’ or the exudation treatment using herbal leaves and powders; ‘Sirodhara’ or gently pouring liquids over the forehead; ‘Sirovasthi’or herbal or medicated oils are applied to the head, which is covered by a cap in order to prevent the leakage of the oil outside; ‘Kativasti’ or the warm herbal oil, which is kept over the area of lower back with the boundary of the herbal paste; ‘Urovasti’ or a herbal oil treatment similar as the method of Kativasti treatment. This is the treatment for chest; ‘Udvarthanam’ or special herbal powder massage; ‘Abhyangam’ or oil massage on body, ‘Nasyam’ or nasal therapy;  ‘Netra Tharpanam’ or relieving & relaxing eye and facial massage; ‘Chavitti Uzhichil’ or a treatment to reduce 5 kgs of body weight in 12 Days and ‘Yoga,’ which enhances well-being of the body and mind. They too offer beauty & spa treatments. It is significant to note that their home made Ayurvedic medicines cure all illnesses without any side effects. Treatment is customized and integrated with the age old traditions in treatment, which involves judicious application of herbal medicines, nutritional guidance, exercise therapy, meditation and other special purification and rejuvenation therapies. They take particular care to give personal attention to each and every customer / patient. Those who wish can go there for a specific healing or holistic experience through Ayurveda. They provide excellent home cooked food too. They also offer certain packages at reasonable rates; browse packages in their email: care@ayurvedanta.org. They have an expert team of veteran doctors and therapists to provide specialized treatment, excellent services and facilities at affordable prices. 

Excerpts from

NEED OF THE HOUR

by

Joseph J. Thayamkeril

Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.

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