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Experiencing Ayurveda in India's Secluded Paradise

By Carole Herdegen

India never fails to pleasantly surprise its visitors. The country's vastness, diversity of climate, geographical land formations, a variety of languages, cultures, ethnic groups, religions and lifestyles always astonish travelers on their fascinating visits to this land of enchantment.

For example, in a country where Hinduism comprises the majority of its vast total population, there is one state where a quarter of its inhabitants are Christian. It is the beautiful state of Kerala that is located on the east coast of the southernmost tip of India. On its waterfront shores, the Indian Ocean has created wide sandy beaches.

In a wide area of its inlands, there is a mixture of brackish canals, lakes, estuaries and rivers known as the Kerala Backwaters. Venturing even further inland, the visitor is greeted with hills and rainforests. "National Geographic Traveler" calls Kerala: "One of the 10 exotic paradises in the world and one of the 50 'must-see' destinations of the world".

With a myriad of nature's offerings, one can easily understand why Kerala enjoys the highest national standard of living and lays claim to a 91% literacy rate as well as the country's highest life expectancy of 71 years.

Even long before the 15th Century voyages of Columbus and Vasco da Gama, Kerala was known as the Spice Capital of India. In more recent times, herbs, spices and 900 medicinal plants and trees grown in this region have made Kerala one of the premier places in the world for the manufacturing of alternative medicines. It has been and continues to be a center for the study of the ancient art of healing called Ayurveda, which translates from Sanskrit into "The Science of Life".

Because of its location, the Kerala Backwaters have made famous the well-known and luxurious Kumarakom Lake Resort. As a first-class Ayurvedic Center, it has received the Kerala Government's Green Leaf Certification, a prestigious award presented only to the best and most authentic practitioners of this art form of healing.

From the first moment of entering the resort's gates, one immediately experiences the sensation of peace and tranquility. The entire village has been specifically designed and carefully rebuilt using authentic buildings called Illams from the surrounding Kerala countryside.

These structures have been meticulously enhanced by the addition of traditional furnishings and décor. Because of the resort's unique design and authentic reproduction, it has been named the recipient of the 2006 World Travel Awards.

Each cluster of villas opens up to its own luxurious swimming pool located only a few steps from the patio doors. All occupant-guests are treated to every amenity one would expect from a top-rated luxury resort.

One of the most amazing and incredible structures on the grounds is the Ettukettu restaurant, a 200-year-old mansion built by the King of Travancore. The relocated mansion was painstakingly dismantled and brought by 30 truckloads to the Kumarakom Lake Resort where it was reassembled. Chef Shridhar and his staff of chefs make the Ettukettu Restaurant the center of activity. From breakfast to the evening meal, the outstanding menus are accompanied by traditional Kerala entertainment of music and dance.

For many, the Ayurmania at the resort is a place to come for renewal and healing. The holistic treatments and extensive range of unique therapies have attracted visitors from around the world. The Ayurmania was also once a beautiful Kerala Mansion in the style of the century's old traditional "nalukettu" or four-sided mansion built around a courtyard.

As a healthy journalist with a limited knowledge of Ayurvedic Medicine, I had intended to experience several treatments at the Ayurmania for the purpose of writing descriptions of the treatments. During my visit, I spoke to Dr. Renju Raphel, the Ayurvedic Consultant who designs programs and content for patients seeking treatment. Dr. Raphel selected the "Rejuvenation Massage" (Abhyangam) for my first experience. This is a massage using traditional techniques accompanied with medicated herbal oils to relax the entire body as well as a special head and face massage.

The large wooden massage table in the treatment room was raised in the middle so any surplus of the applied oils could drain off into the small openings at each corner of the table. A large opening for the patient's face at the top end of the table is similar to the massage tables at most therapy resorts and spas.

On day two, a more traditional Ayurvedic procedure, the Sirodhara, was my second treatment that began with a 30 minute massage with warm herbal oils. While lying face up on a specially designed massage table, a hanging brass pot containing the same warm oil began to flow over my forehead for another 30 minutes.

This is considered an excellent treatment for relaxation insofar as it stimulates tranquility of the mind and improvement in mental functions. I can honestly verify I felt the intended results almost immediately as if I had just finished a challenging mental test and was now experiencing the state of clear-headedness upon its completion.

My third and final procedure was called Njavarakizi. It was the most unusual of all. The treatment involves a massage with medicinal Njavara rice cooked with milk and herbs. When dried, the rice is powdered and placed into a muslin cloth bag and massaged all over the body. I had to wear a protective covering over my nose and mouth to facilitate easier breathing from the dust of the powdered rice. This is also called a dry massage. I was told this treatment helps to rejuvenate sore and tired muscles and eases stiffness in the joints.

The above treatments I had experienced are only three of the fifteen other specialized procedures that are available at the Ayurmania at Kumarakom Lake Resort. For severe illnesses, treatments should be taken more frequently. The Ayurvedic physician determines the length and number of days of treatment. However, for relaxation, regular or even occasional Ayurvedic massages do wonders for the body, mind and spirit. Back home, I now look back with so much more appreciation of Ayurveda, the 5000 year-old Indian science of holistic health.

Another way to retain that relaxed feeling of the resort is to explore the surrounding Vembanad Lake and the Kerala Backwaters by Kettuvallams, the traditional rice ferries that have been converted into beautiful houseboats. These can be hired for 1 to 3 days to experience and enjoy the waterside life in typical Kerala villages.

But you can't leave this paradise before you have taken an evening cruise to watch the amazing sunset at the beautiful Kumarakom Lake Resort in this spectacular and picturesque Indian state.

I am certain that I will return to the Kumarakom Lake Resort to learn more about the ancient art of holistic healing.

Information you will need for travel to Kerala and India

India Website: www.incredibleindia.org.
State of Kerala Website: www.keralatourism.org.

Information on Indian Visas: www.india-visa.com

India Tourist Offices:

USA (New York)
1270 Avenue of Americas
Suite 1808
New York, NY 10020-1700
Tel: (212) 586-4901/2/3
Fax: (212) 582-3274
E-mail: ny@itonyc.com

USA (Los Angeles)
3550 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90010-2485
Tel: (213) 380-8855
Fax: (213) 380-6111
E-mail: goitola@aol.com

Canada (Toronto)
60 Bloor Street (West)
Suite 1003
Toronto, Canada M4W3B8
Tel: (416) 962-3787, (416) 962-3788
Fax: (416) 962-6279
E-mail: India@istar.ca

For information and reservations:

Kumarakom Lake Resort
Backswaters
Kumarakom North P.O.
Kottayam 686 566,
Kerala, India
Tel: 0091 (481) 252 4900
Fax: 0091 (481) 252 4987
E-mail: klresort@vsnl.com
Website: www.klresort.com

Find maps of India in the TravelStore.

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