Kerala at a Glance

 

 

 

Kerala.

 

Wedged between the Western Ghats on the East and the Arabian Sea on the West, the narrow strip of land known as Kerala is a destination of a lifetime.

 

Kerala at a Glance

 

With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 m in the east and networked by 44 rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. An equable climate. A long shoreline with serene beaches. Tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters. Lush hill stations and exotic wildlife. Waterfalls. Sprawling plantations and paddy fields. Ayurvedic health holidays. Enchanting art forms. Magical festivals. Historic and cultural monuments. An exotic cuisine... All of which offer you a unique experience. And what's more, each of these charming destinations is only a two hour drive from the other - a singular advantage no other destination offers. Kerala, India's most advanced society: With hundred percent literacy. World-class health care systems. India's lowest infant mortality and highest life expectancy rates. The highest physical quality of life in India. Peaceful and pristine, Kerala is India's cleanest state.

 

People and Life

 

Kerala is one of India's most progressive states in terms of social welfare and quality of life. The State boasts of one of India's highest literacy rates, highest life expectancy and lowest child mortality rates. The literacy rate for women is one of the highest in all of Asia. Enjoying a unique cosmopolitan viewpoint, the people of Kerala, at all levels of society, have greater access to services and opportunities - as well as a greater say in their governance.

 

Why is kerala called Gods own country ?

 

According to Hindu mythology, Kerala was created by Lord Parasurama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu by throwing his axe across the sea to create new land for his devotees to live peacefully. So, Kereala is God's own creation, hence it is called God's own country!

Every nook and corner in Kerala you will see Hindu temples, Muslim mosques and Christian Churches; and unlike many other parts of India, people live happily without communal riots and great religiuos tolerance. Hence it is God's own country full of worship places!

Nestled between the pristine waters of the Arabian sea on the west and the lush Western Ghat mountains on the east, its intense network of rivers and lagoons, thick forests, exotic wildlife, tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters and a long shoreline of serene beaches make it a traveler's paradise. God's own country! Paradire.
 

Kerala, the Land of Ayurveda

 

Kerala possesses an unbroken tradition of Ayurveda that has surpassed the many invasions and intrusions both foreign and native. For hundreds of years the Ayurveda Vaidyas (traditional practitioners of Ayurveda) were almost the only access for people seeking healing from every kind of disease in Kerala. The legendary eight families of Vaidyas (Ashta vaidyas) and their successors treated the entire state for centuries. Unlike the other Indian states the status of Ayurveda in Kerala is not alternative but mainstream. In fact, today, Kerala is the only State in India which practices this system of medicine with absolute dedication.
Being the only resort of treatment for the people, the Vaidyars of Kerala were challenged to interpret the theories of Ayurveda and adapt them actively into effective healing systems in everyday life. Thus almost all the contemporary procedures and protocols of Ayurveda have evolved in and around Kerala.
 

The Boons of Nature

 

Its equable climate, natural abundance of forests and the cool monsoon season are best suited for Ayurveda's curative and restorative packages. Kerala is perhaps one of the few places on earth where a temperature of 24-28 degrees is maintained during a period of continuous rain. This prevalence of moisture in the air and on the surface of the skin makes it the ideal place for natural medicines to work at their highest levels of potency. The land is also blessed with innumerous medicinal plants and provides the continuity and consistency of Ayurveda medicines needed for effective treatment procedures. The same herbs with the same potency are available year after year across every season. The rich alkaloid content of the soil enhances the intensity and potency of many Ayurvedic medicines when compared to places with different soil constitution.

 

The Advantages of Ayurveda in Kerala

 

Ashtangahridayam, the practical, user friendly interpretation of Ayurveda, compiled by the great Vagbata is seldom used anywhere in the world as it is extensively done in Kerala. The Vaidyars of Kerala are proficient in this most contemporary treatise of Ayurveda which many scholars consider an advancement over the earlier samhitas of Charaka and Sushruta, the pioneers of Ayurveda. It is in Kerala that Kashaya Chikitsa (treatment with concoction) has become a standardised protocol involving hundreds of Kashayams that were scientifically classified and organised according to various treatment needs. Keralite Vaidyars where the first to focus on the anti oxidant properties of Abayangam leading to the profusion of kizhis. The largest number of Ayurveda colleges and the largest number of practitioners in comparison to any place in the world has led to a tradition of Ayurveda research in a scientific manner in Kerala.

Ayurveda as a lifestyle

Ayurveda is not just about good physical health. It is a therapy that promises holistic wellness. The natural herbs and oils used in the therapy are of great medicinal value as is said in the Vedic literature on Ayurveda. The history of Ayurveda which can be traced back to the Vedic Ages clearly lays out instructions to maintain health as well as fighting illnesses through therapies such as massages, herbal medicines, diet control and exercise.

Elimination of toxic elements from the body is the primary function of this curing remedy. The system gets purified when the poisonous elements are removed from the body. As a result, the chances of falling ill are largely zeroed down which makes one feel tension-free. It rejuvenates the mind, body and soul.

Charaka Samhitha (Treatise on Medicine), Susrutha Samhitha (Treatise on Surgery) and Ashtanga Samgraha (Treatise on the basic principles) are the three major treatises in Ayurveda. These treatises tell us that every individual has a unique constitution. Every organ or system has an energy related to it and there has to be equilibrium between them. The balance generally gets affected when we fall ill. The objective of Ayurveda is to reestablish this equilibrium in order to maintain good health.

Kerala has a number of Ayurveda treatment centres which offer various packages. From treatments like uzhichil and pizhichil to curing illnesses like arthritis to beauty massages for the skin and hair; there is no place better than Kerala to seek the benefits of Ayurveda. Kerala has a number of natural herbs such as Aswagandha, Amalki, Katphal, Brahmi, Bharangi, Yashtimadhu, Shankhupusham to name a few. Turmeric, Cinnamon, Keezharnelli (Phylantus Amarus), Kilukillapa (Crotalaria Retusa Linn), Koduveli (Plumbago Zeylanica Linn) and many more herbs with medicinal values are found in Kerala.

The rainy season, from June to September, is the ideal time for Ayurvedic treatments because the atmosphere remains cool, moist, and dust free. This opens up the body’s pores, making it receptive to herbal oils and therapy. The places offering the best packages in Ayurveda in Kerala are : Somatheeram Ayruveda Resort near Kovalam, Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Shala which is a hospital, Beach and Lake Ayurveda Resort and Surya Samudra Spa Niraamaya at Tivandrum, Keralyeem Ayurvedic resort near Allepey and Ayurkshethra at Kumarakom.

 

Yoga

A series of physical and mental disciplines, Yoga is a meditative practice believed to have been originated in India. Vedic Literature contains references to ascetics, as early as 900 to 500 BC. Some of the seals discovered from the Indus Valley Civilization sites have figures in postures resembling the ones in Yoga. According to the Katha Upanishad, Yoga refers to the control of the senses and mental equilibrium. The Upanishads, the Bhagavad-Gita, the Mahabharata and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are the most important textual sources about the concept of Yoga.

The goal of yoga is the attainment of a sound mind in a healthy body. It helps one become aware of the self, control one’s emotions and to think straight. Yoga is also believed to help one achieve Moksha-the liberation from all worldly sufferings and the phases of birth and death. Though the postures of Yoga are designed to give mental and spiritual well being, it also improves ones physical health.

The most noted propagator of Yoga was the great sage Patanjali who wrote the ‘Yoga Sutras’. He spoke about an eight fold path from suffering and pain through Yoga. Of these, the first five elements are known as External (Bahiranga) Yoga or Hath Yoga while the last three are referred to as Internal (Antaranga) Yoga or Raja Yoga.

Kerala has a number of Yoga and meditation centres where experts guide you through the entire process of learning Yoga. They train you after completely understanding your pace and learning ability. Your present medical condition, the difficulty you have with certain poses and what is most comfortable for you are studied by these professionals. Kerala, with its pollution-free environment and tranquil surroundings is the idyllic place to practice Yoga and seek peace of mind.