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Kerala's ayurveda clinics lure tourists during monsoons Kochi: Traditional ayurveda clinics in Kerala are the most sought after for herbal cures, and particularly do good business during the monsoon season, as foreign tourists make a beeline for the state to rejuvenate themselves. Kerala receives plentiful rains during June and July, the peak monsoon season. The state's famous Ayurveda clinics thrive during this period as globetrotters arrive in search of natural healing. Ayurveda, literally meaning the 'science of life', has over the years gained popularity as the world, haunted by toxic effects of modern drugs, is on the look out for alternative medicines. As ancient ayurvedic texts reveal, the monsoon is the most suited period for rejuvenation programmes as the atmosphere remains dust-free and cool, conditions which open the pores of the human body to the maximum, making it most receptive to herbal oils and therapy. Experts say that according to ayurvedic concepts, the monsoon season is regarded the best time for treatment as the three doshas -- Vata (wind), Pitta (bile) and Kapha (phlegm), which together constitute, health are at this period most susceptible to diseases. "In this period it's advised to do the elimination process. That means this is the accumulation of unwanted materials from inside or from outside. Ayurveda suggest periodical cleaning and cleansing of all the toxins and neutralization of free radicals which cause diseases," said A.M. Anwar, Managing Director of Punarnava Ayurvedic Centre in Kochi (Cochin), the city known for its backwaters. Most physicians are of the view that Kerala's equable climate, natural abundance of forests with a wealth of herbs and medicinal plants, are best suited for ayurveda's curative and restorative programmes. In India, Ayurveda evolved as a system of medicine around 600 B.C.Though it was found in northern Himalayas, it was developed in southern Kerala state due to favourable climatic conditions. Tourists swarming ayurveda clinics say rejuvenation they undergo is very relieving. "Oh it's very nice, it's very different because for me, I'm a massage therapist in Canada, I practise Swedish massage and I'm very impressed because the ayurvedic massage is complete. (In) the Swedish massage, we work with muscle and here it's very complete, the prevention and the plant and the massage. You use more oil and friction. Is very, very good, very nice," said Dominic Nicolas, a Canadian tourist. Another speciality in Kerala during the monsoon season is 'Karkkidaka kanji', a special porridge which is consumed during the Karkkidakam month of Malayalam era (July-August). This special porridge, a mixture of cereals and medicinal plants, is considered to have the ability to control and remove toxins from the body and supplement the body's nutrients. For a culture cradled by the seas, the rainy season is festival time for the people of Kerala. The rains do not upset the rhythm of life here and nothing comes to a standstill. Some of the various Ayurveda therapies are Abhyanga, Dhara, Elakizhi, Nasyam, Pizhichil, Njavarakizhi, and Udhwardhanam. These are various ways of applying ayurvedic medications and remedies to the body of the patient. Ayurveda is gaining popularity worldwide as a holistic and natural form o treatment and as an effective alternate form of healing. Ayurveda can also be used to effectively treat lifestyle condtions such as stress and chronic fatigue syndrome. You can try the time-tested methods of Ayurveda on Kerala Tours with Kerala Backwater. There
are many famous and ancient genuine ayurvedic resorts in Kerala. But
hotels and spas spawning the Kerala beahes offering Ayurvedic therapies
and massage make a lot of money from gullible tourists. Ayurvedic clinics
and hoteliers making the best of the season introduce special holiday
packages to attract domestic and foreign tourists. The state's tourism
department also gears up to meet the demands by upgrading the existing
ayurvedic facilities and commissioning new ones. Situated on the southwest
coast of India, Kerala has a landscape interspersed with mountains,
tea and spice plantations. Large curvy rivers and spectacular waterfalls
add to its natural beauty. The rivers empty into large bodies of 'Backwaters'
or lakes before surrendering to the sea. Tourism has emerged as Kerala's
fastest growing industry, with the sector registering a growth rate
almost double the national average in the past years. Kerala is one
of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world.The state
has been listed among the top 50 destinations of a lifetime by the National
Geographic magazine.
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