THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the rains lashing Kerala, ayurveda clinics are having a boom time.
Be they big or small, tourist resorts across the state are getting Indian and foreign visitors seeking ayurvedic treatment in large numbers.
Ayurveda is India’s ancient medical science that claims to cure a wide variety of ailments, ranging from the simple cold to even mental diseases. Ayurvedic healing, it is said, is more effective during monsoon when the lack of perspiration helps the body absorb the medicinal oil.
The rains also help the body to relax, it is said.
Ayurveda clinics and resorts offer a simple rejuvenating body massage for as low as Rs250 and charge up to Rs350,000 for an intensive four-week package.
“We are expecting a much better monsoon season compared to previous years. Bookings are on at our six premium properties for ayurvedic packages,” said Jose Dominic, chief of CGH Earth, one of Kerala’s best-known resorts.
“We are getting innumerable inquires and we hope to have an extended monsoon season until August,” he said.
The ayurvedic package includes a simple body massage as well as treatment for the upkeep of the nose, mouth and throat.
The owner of country’s first floating resort at Poovar near Kovalam, M R Narayanan said that business was increasing every year and more and more women were flying in from Europe for rejuvenation, slimming and beauty care.
“Work is fast progressing at our Rs10mn ayurveda spa. We will open it in October,” he said.
The most sought after ayurveda healing system is the simple body massage, which is done by trained masseurs using a variety of herbal oils and powders.
Here too tourists can have a variety. Many go for a soothing massage in the moving ayurveda houseboat of Tomy Pulikattil, who owns a fleet of boats in the Alappuzha river.
“We have a one-day package and can cater to six people on the ayurveda houseboat. The price ranges from Rs750-Rs1,600 for a day depending on the treatment protocol,” said Pulikattil.
During treatment, vegetarian food is recommended. Most resorts have full-fledged ayurvedic kitchens.
While ayurveda is becoming popular, the government is doing its best to ensure that no one takes tourists for a ride. – Indo-Asian News Service
