KERALA HOME OF AYUVERDA
Of all the places on earth there is just one that is
literally shaped by a tradition of Ayurveda which goes back to thousands of
years. In this secret preserve surrounded by the Indian Ocean. Some of the
world’s most experienced practitioners open up the healing secrets of Ayurveda
every day. Here. The sunshine and the very air work as a healing balm,while a
unique way of life celebrates this ancient tradition. Welcome to the home of
Ayurveda. Welcome to Kerala.
COME HOME TO A THOUSAND YEAR OLD TRADITION
Kerala can easily be called the only place that has an
unbroken tradition of Ayurveda. Here, this 5000 year old system of healing
continued to thrive over the centuries- thanks to the land’s geographical
isolation even as its fortunes declined across India and elsewhere in the
world.
For centuries, Ayurveda was sought after by the people as a
prime option for healing almost every ailment.
The Vaidays (traditional practitioners) - especially the legendary
Ashtavaidyas renowned for their magical healing touch – played a key role in
strengthening the tradition of Ayurveda in the State.
Kerala’s deeply rooted Sanskrit heritage which enabled
practitioners to interpret the original Ayurvedic Sanskrit teachings was
another significant factor that led to the land’s supremacy in this natural
system of science. In fact, Astangahridayam , the user friendly treatise on
Ayurveda is widely used in Kerala –its verses familiar even to the common man.
ASTAVAIDAYS, traditional physicians who are experts in the 8
branches of Ayurveda, as laid out in Astangahridayam, have contributed much to
Kerala’s rise as a prominent centre for Ayurveda. The unique Ashtavaida
tradition is said to have evolved as a result of the centuries old interaction
between texts based Ayurveda practices and regional folk medical practices
utilizing Kerala’s rich medicinal flora. Of the original 18 Ashtavaidya
families, a few still remain in practice in the State.
COME HOME TO THE GOODNESS OF NATURE
A year round pleasant climate. A moderate temperature
hovering between 24 to 28 degrees. Ample rainfall ensured by 2 monsoons. Humid
air and abundant natural wealth…..
There is perhaps no other place in the world that provides
the perfect natural setting for Ayurveda’s healing touch as does Kerala.
Kerala’s tropical forests are home to over 900 different Ayurvedic herbs and
medicinal plants and Agasthyakoodam, a peak in the southern part, nurtures some
of the rarest varieties-most of them endemic to the region.
KERALA’S many sacred groves or kavus are also rich preserved
of herbal wealth. Whats’ more interesting is that every herb in Kerala is more
potent than that found elsewhere in the world- the rich alkaloid content in the
soil adding to the potency. This makes the formulations derived from the
extremely effective. Even the classic preparations have been proved to be
superior in effect.
With herbs available across every season. Kerala ensures the
continuity and consistency that Ayurveda demands for making treatment
effective.
AGASTHAYAKOODAM, a peak south of Thirwananthapuram, the
capital city, is a treasure trove of medicinal herbs. The mountain and the
surrounding Western Ghats constitute a hotbed of bio-diversity with over 700
medicinal plants.
COME HOME TO AN AGE OLD WAY OF LIFE
Long before the world woke up to Ayurveda. It was a way of
life in Kerala- connected to almost every aspect of daily life. An oil massage
was customary before the daily morning bath and every home grew herbs that went
into making simple homemade Ayurvedic remedies. The monsoon season of Karkidaka
( July-August) considered as the ideal
time for Ayurveda was kept aisde for rejuvenate Ayurvedic massage and diets.
Even elephants in Kerala enjoy an Ayurvedic diet during monsoon
and Ayurvedic massages have long been customary for KAlaripayattu ( Kerala’s
traditional martial art) artists to increase flexibility of the body. Many
seasonal rituals and religious ceremonies in Kerala also echo the tenets of
Ayurveda.Though times have changed, most of Kerala still follows this
exceptional way of life, a taste of which can be had while you are here.
AYURVEDIC traditions find expressions in Kerala’s cuisine
too. SADYA –the traditional meal of the State, for instance, follows the Ayurvedic
principle of shad rasas ad features 6 flavours ranging from sweet to sour,
aimed at harmoniously blending acidity and alkalinity to aid digestion.
