Ayurveda is an ancient art of healing that has been in practice in India for more than 5,000 years. It is often considered as the medical side of Yoga and is highly effective in dealing with chronic illnesses, weakening effects of chemotherapy and metabolic problems. Ayurveda in India has grown by many folds over the years and has a number of Ayurvedic rejuvenation centres throughout the country, many of which can be found in leading hotels and resorts. While these Ayurvedic rejuvenation centres offer relaxation through massages and beauty treatments, Ayurvedic hospitals offer treatments to various chronic and severe illnesses.
Ayurveda in India uses a pranic system of healing, which aims at correcting the doshas in a body by balancing its life energy. The treatment involves different types of massages depending on the ailment; application of herbal oils and liquids on the body; typical massage techniques such as uzhichil and pizhichil; covering the body with herbs, leaves; and different types of herbal powders.
The advantage of Ayurveda is that it uses natural elements for treatment purposes and the solutions provided are tailor-made to specifically address an individual’s problem. Like homeopathy, Ayurvedic treatment requires time to take effect. The treatment course usually stretches to at least two weeks before the effects can be seen.
Ayurvedic treatments are available in most resorts and hotels throughout the country. However, the main hubs of Ayurveda practice are Kerala, Goa and Karnataka. To derive the maximum benefits from Ayurveda, it is best that you seek treatment during rainy season i.e. between June and September. This period is recommended for the treatment as the due to the monsoons dust settles in and the atmosphere is clean, cool and moist. This opens the pores in the body, making it more receptive to treatments.
Ayurvedic treatment is not just a remedy for your ailments but also a great way for soul searching. Some of the leading Ayurvedic rejuvenation and treatment centres are situated in the most picturesque places in the country. The tranquillity and serenity of these places will make your introspect and rebuild and rejuvenate your mind and body.
So if you are looking for a complete package that offers physical, mental and spiritual wellness, head for centres that offer various Ayurveda India tours. Here’s a look at some of the leading pranic healing centres offering Ayurveda in India.
Ayurveda Tours of India - Top Resorts and Centres
The Taj Ayurveda Centre, Calicut
The Taj Ayurveda Centre or the Gateway Ayurveda Centre is a part of the Taj Residency in Calicut. Although, there are Ayurvedic rejuvenation centres in most Taj Hotels, the Gateway Ayurveda Centre is unique and different from all others due to the wide range of treatments it offers. It has been rated as the best Ayurvedic centre in the country by The Guardian and has also won the ‘Green Leaf’ Award conferred by the Indian Department of Tourism for following the highest standards of Ayurveda practice.
The Gateway Ayurveda Centre offers treatments for varying periods of time and all treatments are supervised by experts from the Ayushman Ayurvedic Trust in Coimbatore, which is one of the most authentic agencies providing the best of Ayurvedic treatment in the country.
At the Gateway Ayurveda Centre in the Taj Residency of Calicut, all provisions have been made to ensure the comfort and treatment techniques of guests. There are trained doctors, therapists and Yoga sessions for guests to ensure complete rejuvenation and relaxation. The treatment rooms at the Taj Ayurveda Centre have steam chambers for herbal steam therapies. It also provides for the Avagham tub for patients suffering from backaches, spinal problems or pile, Pathy or wooden beds for oil therapy called Abhyanga, a swimming pool, health club and a lounge with a small library.
The Gateway Ayurveda Centre also offers signature treatments such as the Abhyanga, the Swedana, the Nasya, the Gandoosha, the Danta Dhavana and the Anjana. Abhyanga is a conventional therapy where herbal oils are applied all over the body of an individual to help him relax. This treatment helps in lowering the degree of fatigue in the body, relaxing the muscles and helps the individual get a relaxed sleep. Swedana is a mild fermentation process where the body is dabbed with a cloth dipped in warm water. This treatment too has a very relaxing effect on the mind and body.
The Nasya treatment involves taking in of two drops of therapeutic oil before breathing. This removes all nasal clogs and helps in easy breathing, removing snoring etc. The therapy called Gandoosha involves gargling with different kinds of liquids, which vary according to the problem an individual is facing. Danta Dhavana, as the name suggests, is a treatment for the good health of the teeth and an individual is asked to clean his teeth using a herbal powder. The last treatment is Anjana, in which the eyes are lined with an anti-infection ointment which prevents cataracts and improves eyesight.
At the Gateway Ayurveda Centre, you can also avail of other conventional Ayurveda treatments such as Karna Poorna, Kizhi, Dhara, Pizhichil and Yoga and Meditation. The centre offers programmes in varying durations to suit the convenience of its guests. There are programmes that stretch from 7 days to 35 days and are effective in treating problems such as rheumatoid arthritis, spondylitis, migraine and even paralysis. It is a great way to start an Ayurveda tour in India experience.
Somatheeram Ayurveda Resort, Kerala
Somatheeram is the world’s first Ayurveda resort and offers a number of well packaged ayurveda in India tours. It is situated on a picturesque hillock a few kilometres away from the Kovalam beach. The resort was established in 1985 and since then has been offering world class treatments to those seeking holistic healing.
The Somatheeram resort is one of the most visited Ayurveda resorts in the world and has emerged as a major tourist destination for those who seek a peaceful vacation and healing for their tired minds and bodies. The beautiful sea that stretches beyond and the serene and tranquil atmosphere offered by the resort makes it one of the most popular resorts for treatment, thereby, making your Ayurveda in India all the more interesting.
The Somatheeram resort offers several packages in varying durations. Each package includes accommodation, vegetarian food and Ayurvedic treatments. The packages include rejuvenation and body purification therapies, slimming programmes, stress management programmes, beauty care programmes and Ayurveda anti-ageing programmes.
The signature treatments offered at the Somatheeram Ayurveda Resort include 14-day treatments through Pizhichil, Njavarakizhi, Dhara, Vasthi, Sirovasthi, Udvarthanam, Abhyangam, Nasyam, Snehapanam, Kizhi, Dhanyamla Dhara, Kativasthi, Sirovasthi, Ksheeradhara and Karna Poornam. These treatments are highly effective in providing relief from conditions such as obesity, diabetic gangrene, osteoarthritis, psoriasis, leukemia, gynaecological disorders and even facial paralysis.
Ananda, Uttarakhand
Anand is situated in Uttarakhand. It focuses on the amalgamation of Ayurveda and Aromatherapy for healing and rejuvenating the body, mind and soul. It is situated at a distance of 262 km from Delhi and offers Yoga pavilions, beautiful scenic beauty, an expansive golf course, delicious and healthy food and the most important of all, peace of mind.
The centre offers more than 79 different types of body and beauty treatments. What makes the treatment at Ananda special is the fact that the centre combines the ancient techniques of Ayurveda with contemporary spa approach to provide holistic healing, relaxation and rejuvenation. It is one of the most popular destination for Ayurveda in India.
The centre offers treatments such as Nasyam, Abhyangam, Pizhichil, Choorna Swedana, Kavala, Kati vasti, Takradhara, Mukha Lepa, Tan Lepa, Udwarthanam, Sneha Vasti, Tarpana, Gandoosha etc. It also offers several beauty and body care solutions through Himalayan Honey and Rose Facial, Rose Quartz Glow, Amethyst Rejuvenation, Ananda Royal Facial etc.
Ananda has an efficient team of Ayurvedic practitioners, Nutritionists and Spa Therapists, who ensure that an individual receives the right solution for your problem. Ananda offers several packages that allow you to pick the right kind of treatment for yourself.
Devaaya, The Ayurveda and Nature Cure Centre, Goa
Devaaya is situated on the Diyar Island, about 9 km from the capital city of Panaji. This beautiful Ayurveda centre was established by a leading business house, the Altor Victor Group. Surrounded by breathtaking scenic beauty, Devaaya is a paradise for those seeking relief from the cacophony of the cities.
The centre offers great Ayurvedic treatments and therapies at its extensive facility. The centre has an efficient team of Ayurvedic doctors who first counsel an individual and then prescribe a treatment. The packages offered by Devaaya include a residential holistic programme, which covers accommodation, Yoga, meditation, healthy food and healthy music for the healing and rejuvenation of the body, mind and soul.
The Devaaya offers a Panchkarma package for a duration of 15, 22 and 30 days. The therapies included in the package are Abhyanga, Antar Sneha, Virechan, Navarakizhi etc. The Wellness package covers treatments such as Abhyanga, Padabhyanga, Health Consultation, synchronised abhyanga, karnapuran, shiro dhara, nasya etc.
Furthermore, the meals offered at the centre are prepared as per the doctor’s advice. Keeping in mind the balance of the vata, pitta and kapha doshas, the meals are kept vegetarian and include rice, pulses, vegetables, soups etc. Yoga and Meditation are an integral part of the healing process and hence are part of the packages that redefine an Ayurveda India tours experience.
Kairali Ayurvedic Health Village, Kerala
The Kairali Ayurvedic Health Village is situated in the Palakkad district of Kerala. Surrounded by the picturesque beauty of the Western Ghats, the Kairali Ayurvedic Health Village offers serenity, tranquility and the goodness of authentic Ayurvedic treatments. The organisation, which had started off as a small entity, has as many as 20 centres abroad and about 25 centres throughout India. The company offers Ayurveda packages and Yoga and pilgrimage packages.
The Kairali Ayurvedic Health Village focuses on techniques that aid in the complete healing of the mind and body. Besides providing relaxation to the mind and body through Ayurvedic massages and other treatments, it also allows an individual to a little bit of soul searching through the Yoga and Pilgrimage packages. The treatments offered at the Kairali Ayurvedic Health Village in Palakkad include medicinal massages, Panchakarma and recovery through healthy diet and environment.
The Panchakarma treatment includes techniques such as Nasyam, Anuvaasam, Nirupam, Virechana and Vamanan. It basically involves five different techniques of purgation to detoxify the body and create a healthy balances of vata, pitta and kapha doshas in the body. The diseases that are treated at the Kairali Ayurvedic Health resort include facial paralysis, slip disc and spondylitis, obesity, bronchial diseases, arthritis, skin disease etc.
The Leela, Bangalore
Another centre for enjoying excellent Ayurvedic treatments is the Ayurveda Spa at the Leela Palace in Bangalore, Karnataka. The Leela is known for its high standards of service and quality. The spa at the Leela Palace in Bangalore is well equipped to facilitate authentic Ayurveda treatments such as massages, uzhichil and pizhichil.
The Leela offers attractive Ayurveda rejuvenation and detoxification packages at its spa. The basic rejuvenation package offered at The Leela, Bangalore is of 3 days. The treatments offered under this package include one full body traditional massage, a unique combination of the Shirodhara and Abhyanga techniques and Shirodhara treatments. Under the package, you can also enjoy a personalised session of Yoga and meditation.
The Essence of Wellness package offered by the Leela is of 5 days. The treatments included in this package are a relaxing head and back massage, three rejuvenating massages, one Shirodhara treatment, feet Abhyanga and a Yoga or meditation session. The De-Stress Package is of 5-days and focuses on helping the body overcome stress through rejuvenating sessions and Ayurvedic treatments. The treatments included in the package are three sessions of Shirodhara, a personalised session of Yoga or meditation and two rejuvenating massages at the spa.
Charaka, Andhra Pradesh
Charaka is one of the popular destinations for availing treatments in Ayurveda. Situated in the city of Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh, Charaka offers holistic healing solutions for the mind, body and soul. The Ayurvedic rejuvenation centre was established in the year 2003 and it has grown extensively and made its mark with its unique treatments.
Charaka offers treatments such as Panchakarma, Rasa Chikitsa, Kaya Kalpa Chikitsa, Vajikarana, Soundarya Vardhini etc. Panchakarma treatments cover all five techniques of purgation namely Vamana, Vasti, Virechana, Rakta mokshana and Nasya. The Vajikarana or Aphrodisiac therapy helps in conditions such as spermatogenesis. The Soundarya Vardhini package includes treatments such as Mukha Soundarya Vardhini, Keshini, Pada Shubhakari, Kara Shubhakari, etc; which offer solutions for beauty problems from head to toe.
Other treatments include Dhara, Pizhichil, Njavarakizhi etc. The Charaka has various specialised treatments for a wide range of diseases such as hair loss or hair fall, slip disc, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, cancer, hepatitis,eczema, infertility etc. Charaka has a very efficient team of physicians and therapists who ensure that every individual gets the best treatment and also uses the best medicinal lotions and oils to enhance the experience. You can definitely include a trip here as a part of the Ayurveda india tours experience.
Kalari Kovilakam, Kerala
The Kalari Kovilakam was established in the 19th century and has since been an undisputable leader in terms of providing excellent Ayurvedic treatments. The Kovilakam, although has been renovated, but still retains the old world charm of the 19th century. Visitors aren’t allowed to wear shoes inside the Kovilakam or wear leather items or consume non-vegetarian food.
At Kalari Kovilakam, an individual is treated to the most authentic techniques of Ayurvedic treatment and the treatment is often combines with Yoga and meditation to ensure complete healing and rejuvenation of the mind and body. All treatments are prescribed by a physician or an Ayurvedic practitioner. At Kalari Kovilakam, even the food served is prepared as per the doctor’s advice. The Kalari Kovilakam offers treatments that are a combination of Yoga and meditation, herbal massages and treatments, purifying baths, a shot at Kalaripayattu, which the traditional martial arts form of Kerala.
Birla Kerala Vaidyashala
The Birla Kerala Vaidyashala is one of the most renowned rejuvenating centres offering various Ayurveda India tours. The Birla Kerala Vaidyashala is a part of the Yash Birla Group. The vaidyashala has as many as 25 therapy centres, Ayurvedic health resorts throughout the country.
The Birla Kerala Vaidyashala is recognised for its unique and authentic treatment techniques. The Vaidyashala was awarded the title of the ‘Best Ayurvedic Spa’ at the Asia Spa Awards, India for 2011-12. In the year 2010-2011, the Birla Kerala Vaidyashala won the Golden Star Award for the ‘Most Preferred Ayurvedic Spa’.
The Vaidyashala offers several wellness treatments, signature therapies, express treatments and beauty treatments. The vaidyashala works in consultation with the best physicians and Ayurvedic doctors in the country to provide the best possible treatment to an individual.
The Wellness therapies include treatments such as Abhyanga, Shirodhara etc. The Signature therapies of the Birla Kerala Vaidyashala include the Nirvana and the Stress Away therapies. The beauty treatments include Ayurvedic facial and Ayurvedic Herb Mask. The Birla Kerala Vaidyashala also offers several curative therapies and interesting packages.
The packages come under Day Care Packages and Stay Care Packages. Under the Daycare package, you can avail of the Ayurvedic treatment package for 3 days; the Shringara package for 3 days; the revitalisation therapy for 5, 7, 14 or 21 days; the Aphrodisiac treatment for a time period ranging between 5 to 21 days. Other packages offered by the Birla Kerala Vaidyashala include Ayurvedic Sports Fitness Programme, Panchakarma Therapy; Spine Care programme etc.
Indus Valley Ayurveda Centre, Mysore
The Indus Valley Ayurveda Centre is one of the most popular centres offering various Ayurveda tours of India. It was established in September 1999 and since then it has been providing unique and authentic remedies to people suffering from different kinds of ailments.
The Indus Valley Ayurveda Centre offers a host of Ayurvedic treatments namely Abhyanga, Shirodhara, Njavarakizhi, Chakra Basti, Shiro Basti, Kati Basti, Talam, Kashaya Seka etc. The centre also offers Panchakarma treatment which include the five techniques of purgation namely the Vamana, Virechana, Nasya, Basti and Raktamokshana. These five techniques are used to detoxify the body and create a healthy balance of the vata, pitta and kapha doshas.
The Indus Valley Ayurvedic Centre also offers remedies for diseases such as allergies, Alzheimer’s disease, bronchitis, bulimic, arthritis, asthma, chronic fatigue, constipation, infertility, gastritis, obesity, osteoporosis, insomnia, ulcers etc. The centre also offers several beauty and skin care treatments such as Soundarya Vardhini, Mehndi, Keshini,Pada Shubhakari and Kara Shubhakari.
The Soundarya Vardhini, as the name suggests, is used to enhance the beauty of the skin, its complexion and condition. Two therapists will use their best herbal secrets and turn your skin from drab to fab in just 60 minutes. With the Mehndi treatment, the hands and feet of an individual are adorned and also this treatment aids in controlling pitta doshas. The padashubakhari and kara shubhakari, make the hands and feet beautiful by improving the skin condition and complexion. The Keshini is a special treatment used to enhance the beauty and health of your hair.
