Kerala And Ayurveda

By Author: Bruce John
Total Articles: 1
Comment this article

Kerala, situated in the Southern most part of India is a very well known tourist place. Among the many attractions in Kerala, its Ayurvedic resorts draw a lot many tourists every year. Kerala tours offered by tour operators have a number of packages meant for Ayurveda holidays in Kerala. Ayurveda’s curative and restorative packages give best results due to Kerala’s equable climate, natural abundance of forests that are rich in herbs and the cool monsoon season. In fact, Kerala is the only state where Ayurveda is practiced with great dedication. Traditionally, monsoon is known to be the best season for Ayurvedic treatment. In monsoon, the atmosphere is dust-free and cool due to which the body is most receptive to herbal oils and therapy. The body also has less heat and hence is most responsive to treatments.

Kerala has a number of Ayurveda resorts which are visited by tourists from not only in India but from around the world. To encourage treatments in Kerala the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation has started a ‘Monsoon Rejuvination’ ...
... Package that provides sightseeing tours along with Ayurvedic massages and treatment. Kerala Ayurveda treatment provides solutions for ailments like arthritis, paralysis, obesity, sinusitis, migrane, premature ageing, skin ailments etc. Ayurveda resorts also help the detoxification and rejuvenation of the whole body to enable general fitness. The health and fitness programs are based on Ayurvedic oil massages. The massages are much sought after and are known for improving blood circulation, streamlining the body, building up immunity, ridding the body of toxins and decreasing excess fat in the body.

One of the latest hot spot locations in Kerala is Varkala. The coastline of Varkala is exceptionally beautiful due to its towering cliffs that stand erect and guard the sparkling waters, back the beach. The land formations in this place are highly unusual. The sheer cliffs and the view of the beach from the top of the cliffs are astounding. The place is made even more colorful with the shinning white sands, the horizon where the clear blue sky and the blue ocean meet, red soil of the hilltop, the yellow-green paddy fields, combined with the green coconut trees.

Another tourist spot in Varkala is the Sivagiri Mutt which is the Samadhi place of Sri Narayana Guru. He was the spiritual leader and social reformer of Kerala. He was the man who propagated the idea of one caste, one religion and one God. During his time his discourses were conducted mainly in and around Varkala. The Mutt is located about 2.5 kms from the town on the banks of the Thiruvananthapuram- Shornur canal. Many Hindu pilgrims, who visit the Mutt, also visit the Janardhana Swami temple situated close to Varkala beach.The beach named Papanasam is well known to pilgrims from a long time. It is considered to be an auspicious site where poojas are performed for invoking departed souls during the season of Karkkidakavavu.

Kerala is a paradise for nature lovers. The rich greenery in Kerala makes it home to a number of birds and animals. There are a number of natural parks and wildlife sanctuaries that make it one of the most important wildlife destinations.
One of the famous destinations during a trip to Kerala is the Wynad Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a part of the Wynad Plateau and is famous for its tigers and leopards and many other wild animals. The sanctuary is an extension of the Bandipur National Park at the Southern border. The region is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve which was notified as a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1973. Two districts of Kerala come under the Wynad Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is connected with the other important places in Kerala through a good network of roads. The Southwest monsoon, from the months of June to September, has a great influence on the climate of the region. The Northeast monsoon during the months of October and November also bring in a lot of rain.

The last substantial stretch of tropical evergreen rain forests consists of the Silent Valley. It is perhaps the only vestige of a virgin forest in the whole of the Western forests. The animals that are found here are elephants, tigers, wild dogs, flying squirrel and lion tailed macaque.

Thattekad bird sanctuary is a peninsular land of 25 sq.km between the branches of the River Periyar. The rivers are shallow for most of the year. The rivers have a rich fish life and the avifauna includes resting indigenous birds and water birds. The variety of indigenous birds include Malabar grey hornbill, grey jungle fowl, heron, egret, jungle myna, woodpecker, rose winged and blue winged parakeet. The rare birds include Ceylon frog mouth, rose billed roller etc.

One of the famous wildlife sanctuaries is Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary which has the largest population of Gaur (bison). The other animals seen here are Sambar, spotted dear, jungle cat, lion-tailed macaque, common otter, sloth bear etc. A few tigers and leopards are also seen here. The sanctuary also provides facilities for lodging and boarding. Forest rest houses are also available at Thunacadavu, Thellikkal and Elathode.

Idukki wildlife sanctuary is situated just above the arch dam. The area of this sanctuary includes the forest land in between the Periyar and Cheruthoni rivers. The place is an excellent habitat for animals like elephants, bisons, bear, wild boars, sambar etc. The three sides of the sanctuary are surrounded by the lake which provides a panoramic view.

Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary is close to Eravikulam National Park and Anamalai Wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. The proximity to the other sanctuaries makes it rich in wildlife. The entry point to this sanctuary is from Munnar in Kerala and Udumalpet from Tamil Nadu.Aralam wildlife sanctuary is close to Kannur. It is rich in elephants, sloth bears, sambar, mouse-deer etc. There is also a rich habitation of avifauna and reptiles.

For further reference visit : http://www.ayurcounty.com/