1. A TOTAL Ayurvedic Experience
By Jayant Doshi
I had read a lot, and heard about ayurvedic
massages and treatment in Kerala, and now
spreading in other parts of India and the world, but
I also know that some of those centres have very
rudimentary accommodation, and little else by way
of activity besides massages. However, when I
found about Kairali Health Resort, I decided to go
and try it out. Ayurvedic medicine, based on
natural herbs and plants, is centuries old, and it is
nice to see a revival of this ancient medical science.
Universities run degree courses in ayurvedic
medicine, and gradually the herbal medicines are
getting recognition and are being now researched
and regulated to our modern standards.
We landed at Cochin airport at mid-day where a car from the resort was waiting for us. The
drive through the Kerala landscape was picturesque, and we reached the resort after two
and half hours. The resort is in the middle of rice farms, and our first reaction was how we
were to spend a fortnight in such a forlorn place.
But no sooner had we entered the resort, our spirits
were raised, and we were totally mesmerised by
the bewitching beauty of the resort. We were taken
into the reception. The reception was a spacious
room, nicely decorated with some lovely light
fittings and simple but appealing furniture.
The resort is built on a fifteen acre of undulating
sloping land, totally covered with trees that
included palm trees, cocoa nut trees and banana
trees mixed with many other types of trees. The
tree cover was so good that hardly any sunrays
would pierce through them during the daytime. An artificial falls is created at one end of the
resort, and the water flows through a properly built stream that runs through the complex.
Some fountains with colour lights adorn the stream
and lotus flowers are planted in between to
enhance beauty of the stream. Slabs are put in the
stream for the purpose of crossing the same.
Lampposts that go well with the surroundings are
fixed along both sides of the stream.
The grounds are covered with green grass, and
slabs are put on them for walking. Landscaping of
the grounds is fabulous with colourful flowers and
exquisite tropical plants that is superb and beyond
words for description. There is a nice clean
swimming pool on one side, and the complex has a

2. variety of cottages for patients and for various
activities. There are thirty cottages for patients,
most of them housing two persons, while a few
had space for four persons. Each cottage was
individually designed, and if there was a contest
for a best-designed cottage, most of these will
qualify for such a prize. With the simple use of
bricks, plaster and stones, the architect has
created wonders on the outside and inside walls.
Roof tiles are used effectively to create distinctive
designs on ceilings of each cottage. Each cottage is
furnished with thought and care. Bathrooms with
hot water, a television with most channels, air
conditioning and a ceiling fan, and a telephone in each cottage give all the amenities provided
in any five star hotel.
Two ayurvedic doctors look after the patients and
recommend the type of massage, treatment,
medicine or food each patient has to take as per
his or her condition. The treatment centre is
divided into two wings, one for male patients and
one for female patients. Each has four massage
rooms, one treatment room, one medicine room,
one steam room and shower and changing room.
There are two offices for doctors. On our arrival our
medial records were noted, we were checked out
and then recommendations were made. We were
given a schedule of daily routine, and
recommended some herbs for clearing out our systems. There is a herb garden, which
produces all the herbs used by the resort. They also have their own factory which produces
all the oils, and the herbal medicines, which are packed and sold under their own brand.
Our daily routine comprised of one hour of yoga in the morning, and one hour of yoga in the
evening. The morning yoga concentrated on asanas, while evening yoga concentrated on
breathing, meditation and eye exercises. Then we had one massage in the morning and one
in the afternoon. However, one can opt to take whatever massages they desired. Breakfast
consisted of fresh juice and nicely cut and peeled selection of
fruits, though some days we had idli, dosa or similar item.
Lunch comprised of soup, salad, roti without butter, two
vegetables without oil and spices, rice and dal, and fruits for
dessert, and dinner had similar menu, with a different
selection of vegetables. Fruit juices and fresh cocoanut water
were freely available.
Massage rooms were simple but elegant. One wall had a
nice design created with bricks and stones. In one corner,
almost near the ceiling, an earthen pot was hung on the
wall, and a speaker fitted inside the pot, which played
soothing music when the massage was being done. A
wooden plank in the form of a bed was made on piles of
nicely laid brick pillars. Two masseurs gave the massage at
the same time, and their hand movements were so

3. symmetrical, that if one had the eyes closed, then it
would feel that one person was giving massage.
The massage lasted for at least an hour, and the
massages are absolutely wonderful.
After massage, I was taken to a room with a coffin
type of box, and asked to lie inside the box with the
head outside. Steam was released into the box
while I relaxed. Then I went for shower where I was
given a small bowl with flour like powder mixed
with water, and two towels, which at first shocked
me. Each towel was the size of a hand towel, and
made of thin muslin type of cloth, similar to the
material used for dhoti. The first thought that came to mind was how was I going to dry my
body with this small piece of thin fabric. But I was in for a surprise. After applying the flour
paste on the body, and taking my shower, I was surprised how the little thin towel nicely
absorbed all the water on my body, and I could dry myself in one towel. The flour powder
had performed a miracle. After the massage, my body was shining with oil, which literally
was dripping from my skin. But after the shower, it appeared as if no oil had ever been
applied to my body.
There are many types of massages and
treatments, and the doctor showed me a book with
hundreds of others, which have never been tried.
But I will try to describe some of the massages. In
Ayurvedic massage, lot of oil is used. The oil has
lots of herbs added to them. Body massage is the
simplest one, where lot of oil is used and rubbed
over the body giving a soothing feeling. The
masseurs press and rub the body hard and
literally tone the fat on the body. While in normal
body massage they use oil by the fistful, in another
massage they pour lots of oil on the body, until the
body soaks in oil and the skin absorbs some of that oil with all the herbs. Dhara is a
massage where oil continually drips from a pot on the forehead. This massage is very
relaxing. Other treatments included face plaster, enema, nose
drops, herbal water in eyes, a crown on head with oil filled
inside etc.
The other massage is done with potli (a bundle of cloth) with
lots of herbs or other items. In one massage, the potli has
seventeen herbs, the potli is heated on a stove with a metal
pan, and then the potli is pressed and rubbed against the
body, and the body massaged. In another one, water with
herbal roots is boiled, and the steam taken by the potli and
then the body is massaged. In another massage, boiled rice
and herbs are put in the potli, and then dipped in a mixture of
water, milk and herbs, which are boiling on a stove. There are
many other treatments, which are too various and complicated
to be described here. For the first time, they tried foot massage
(where the masseur uses his foot to give massage) on me, and
it was a wonderful experience. But whichever the massage,

4. the feeling after the massage was wonderful.
Soon I set myself into a routine. I started going for
a long brisk walk in the morning. The walks were
wonderful. The walk took me through rice fields,
and farm workers and others who lived along the
way. Early morning was quiet, country air felt
fresh and wonderful, the breeze fluttered the trees
and rising sun enhanced the scene, and the quiet
of the morning was filled with the chirping of the
birds. Women along the path were already busy in
their daily chores, while men were getting ready to
go to their daily routines. School children were already on their way to the schools. The walk
gave me a wonderful insight into local life, and I enjoyed the atmosphere.
As I knew some yoga already, the teacher agreed
to give me yoga lessons on my own at a later time.
After breakfast, and reading the newspaper, I
went for my first massage. This was followed by
an hour of intense yoga session. I drank lot of
juices and cocoanut milk during the day. After
lunch, I went near the swimming pool, read for a
while, had a small nap, and did some swimming.
Then I had my second massage at four. In the
evening, I knocked around a few tennis balls, and
then went for the evening yoga session, followed
by dinner. After dinner, we gathered in the games
room and had some card game to entertain us. The day just passed in all these activities.
We took a chance to visit the nearby town of Palakkad, where
we saw the fort of Tipu Sultan, and one of the oldest Jain
temples (claimed to be 1500 to 2000 years old). There was a
big festival when huge chariots are beautifully decorated and
lighted. We were misinformed and missed the actual ritual
when, these huge chariots, are pulled by crowds of people. I
spent fourteen days in the resort. I am not sure if the medical
treatments are that effective, but for rejuvenation and a
wonderful quiet holiday, this place is wonderful. I felt totally
rejuvenated, and a new person. My body felt toned down and
in good shape. I would highly recommend this resort for a
visit. It is a good holiday, with a good recuperation and
rejuvenation of the body and the mind. It is a health resort
that should be visited annually to do a MOT of the body, as
we do MOT of our cars every year.
(website www.jayantdoshi.yolasite.com)