Kairali Ayurvedic Village – The True Touch of Ayurveda under Tall Palm Trees

If Ayurveda, then Kerala! Kerala – the southwestern part of India – is considered the cradle of this ancient science of life. Its primary principle is to maintain a balance between mind, body and spirit to achieve good health and well-being.

One of the Ayurvedic resorts I had the opportunity to visit in Kerala is the Kairali Ayurvedic Healing Village. Kairali Ayurvedic Group was founded in 1989, its name is derived from the word Kerala in Malayalam, with which the founders wanted to express their pride in its native roots. Currently, the group has treatment centers on three continents – in 35 locations in 9 countries.

According to the advertising brochure, Kairali Healing Village is  12 km from Palakkad, in a land of palm trees and paddy fields. You will notice the palm trees right away – the tall trees climb up to the sky, you can’t even see their crowns, and they throw over the entire village a shadow that protects you from the hot sun and summer rain. Up to 600 coconut palms, 200 teak and 20 mango trees were planted here on 50 acres.

Accommodation

Scattered among the trees are houses like from fairy tales. All 30 exclusive villas were built according to the principles of vastu – a holistic concept of architecture and interior design. The villas fit into the surrounding world of rich vegetation, further enhancing this place’s healing and regenerative power.

An artificial channel winds like a ribbon between the villas. The soft sound of flowing water creates a peaceful atmosphere. Sometimes a small fish appears in the water and water lilies blossom on the surface in some places. The evening lighting of the fountain changes its colors.

Each villa is different and guests are said to be accommodated according to their zodiac sign. My sign is Leo, but the inscription on my house was Trikketta (Scorpio)… Anyway, my house was totally different from the others. It is the only one with a smooth light yellow plaster and a roof that reaches almost to the ground on one side. I was pleased that when they built it, they cut the roof, and not the tall palm tree that grows through it.

I saw traditional wooden furniture in the neighboring villas. When I opened the door of my house, I was again surprised by a completely different, modern design. A large part of the room was occupied by a bed on a huge high pedestal. In the advertising brochures, this villa is described as royal. Since I’m quite tall, when I stood on that bed base, I looked at the world from a decent height, indeed like a queen…

A plate with an apple and two typical small, but very tasty bananas, bottles of water and a thermos, were waiting for me on the table. Ayurveda recommends drinking warm drinks.

Natural herbal products were available in the shower – shampoo, body lotion, soap and powder instead of toothpaste – all made directly at the resort. The powder looked like cinnamon but had no distinctive flavor. There is also a shop pharmacy in the village, where you can buy these natural preparations. I liked the aloe vera shampoo the most.

You can view the range of products here: Kairali Products

I also found a beautiful white seashell in the display case on the shelf. This rare valambari shell is placed in each villa to emit positive vibes.

The Wi-Fi connection in the villa was weak. But that’s good because those who come here for treatment or relaxation should also treat themselves to a digital detox and thus detach themselves from everyday worries and stress. If necessary, a better Wi-Fi signal is available at the reception.

If mosquitoes bother you, just say so at the reception. A guy came with incense and fumigated my whole villa with some natural product. It was really effective.

Ayurvedic Treatments

The therapeutic stay begins with a consultation with a doctor. A team of highly qualified Ayurvedic experts work in Kairali. The doctor will measure your blood pressure and prescribe treatment procedures according to your body proportions and any health problems.

Panchakarma is a leading Ayurvedic method that aims to eliminate toxins, regulate metabolism and strengthen the immune system. It also supports cleaning and regeneration of the digestive tract, as well as weight loss. According to its principles, the resort offers treatments for detoxification, rejuvenation, special treatment for migraines, eyes, problems after pregnancy, beauty programs, treatment of arthritis, weight loss programs, elimination of stress and tension, etc. All medicines and oils used in the treatments are carefully prepared according to Ayurvedic regulations.

I was prescribed a full body massage (abhyanga), which is performed by two therapists. With synchronized movements, they spread the oil from my head to my toes in different body positions. This massage stimulates reflex zones, improves blood circulation and calms the whole body.

I already knew this massage from my previous stay in Kerala. However, svedana sweat therapy was a novelty for me. I sat down in a steamy wooden box for two minutes. The sweat, even with the oil, flows so intensely that you feel like it is taking away with it all the toxins that have accumulated in your body.

This procedure improves circulation and digestion, relaxes muscles and softens the skin.

In the resort, it is common to see people in bathrobes walking to their cabins after the procedures. Bathrobes are available in the villa.

Yoga

Yoga is also part of the treatment stay. In a special building, under the guidance of a trainer, you can not only practice yoga but also meditate and practice breathing exercises. All of this should also help you find inner balance and strengthen harmony.

Diet

The pleasantly furnished dining room is located in a separate building.

The main goal of Ayurveda is to prevent disease and promote good health. Not only medical procedures but also a carefully prepared Ayurvedic diet contribute to this.

Resort Joint Director Gita Ramesh is the author of some Ayurvedic cookbooks, and her book “The Ayurvedic Wellness Cookbook” won the 2023 Gourmand World Cookbook Award, known as the Oscars of the world of food preparation, as the best cookbook in two categories: Diet and Vegetarian Recipes.

As the author says in her book, calories are not counted in Ayurveda. Instead, the Ayurvedic diet is more philosophical. Eating should be a conscious and meditative experience. Kairali serves vegetarian dishes made with fresh seasonal ingredients. There is a farm in the neighborhood of the resort, where they grow most of the necessary crops.

The timing of individual dishes is also important. We should only eat when we are hungry, i.e. when the previous meal has already been completely digested. Breakfast should be light, while lunch is the biggest meal of the day. It should be a food of all six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent). For dinner, we should prefer light dishes that are digested in a shorter time. In the following photos you can see a sample from the offered menu.

The portions in the photos are not large but sufficient. In order not to burden the stomach, only three meals a day are recommended, without snacks in between. We always got warm pinkish water after the meal. Ayurveda does not recommend consuming cold drinks. The warm water is flavored with sappan wood pathimugan (Indian redwood – Biancaea sappan), which has antimicrobial effects and turns the water pink. I really liked this water, so later, I bought several packets of sappan wood in an Ayurvedic store (in another city).

Smoking and consumption of alcohol are not allowed in the resort as it is also against the principles of Ayurveda.

Free Time

While walking under the palm trees, I met a young couple from Germany. I asked them if they were bored here. They answered that not at all. On the one hand, there is not much time left between individual treatments, and on the other hand – even if it doesn’t seem like it, the procedures make you tired and you sleep better and longer (I can confirm this too).

Each villa has a small terrace, where I also saw other guests sitting and reading books. I, on the other hand, enjoyed the walks where I discovered beautiful exotic flowers.

I found blossoming orchids by the pool and admired the tastefully arranged flowers in vases.

As I already mentioned, the resort also includes a farm. I took advantage of the offered tour there as well. So I saw, for example, how okra grows (I was surprised that it is a plant as tall as corn).

Passion fruit showed us its unique flowers…

…but also ripening fruits.

We also found candle fruit here, which I had never seen anywhere before. But I must say that the fruits did not resemble a candle at all.

Then we saw endless paddy fields – all around. I finally understood why this resort is advertised as a place between palm trees and paddy fields.

When we reached the Olassery Bridge, the view opened up to the end of the Western Ghats.

However, taking a walk among the trees and flowers in the resort or around the area is not the only option offered here to fill your free time. They also regularly organize lectures on topics related to Ayurveda. I also took advantage of the invitation to a cooking demonstration class. The cook showed us some Ayurvedic recipes.

According to the aforementioned Ayurvedic cookbook, they mostly use ingredients such as coconut (helps with weight loss, improves digestion, and its water helps with hydration and acts as an energy booster), ghee (clarified butter rich in antioxidants), ginger (supports healthy digestion and increases metabolism), mustard seed (heats the body when consumed, can improve blood circulation and strengthen immunity).

You will find very often black pepper (acts as an appetite stimulant and at the same time, prevents colds), turmeric (its active ingredient – curcumin is very beneficial for the brain), tamarind (rich in vitamin C and antioxidants), curry leaves (unique flavoring, but also a natural remedy for many disorders) or coriander leaves (strengthen immunity and purify the blood).

Twice a month, the resort also hosts special programs presenting the traditional culture of Kerala. At the time of our visit, it was the traditional Tholpavakoothu shadow puppet theatre. I’m taking the opportunity to tell you a little more about it.

Originally, performances of Tholpavakooth were held as a ritual offering in temples. Later, however, they gained popularity outside the temples as well.

The performance takes place on a special stage with a white screen. It is illuminated from behind by 21 lamps. The puppets move behind the screen onto which they cast their shadows.

The featured plays are stories from the epic Ramayana, the life of Sri Rama from his birth to his coronation as a king. The performance is accompanied by recitation and music.

After the performance, we were able to take a look behind the scenes. They showed us the puppets, some were quite big, with a height of almost one meter. They are made of leather, originally deer, but today mainly goat is used. The puppets are controlled using two sticks. The puppeteer holds the stick with the puppet in one hand and uses a thinner stick, held in the other hand, to control the movements of the puppet’s limbs.

Lamps are made of coconut halves or clay. They are filled with coconut oil and have a cotton wick. The puppeteers also showed us how they make fire effects when they sprinkle (unfortunately, I don’t remember what) powder into the lamp.

If you happen to be in Kerala and have a chance to see the Tholpavakoothu shadow play performance, definitely go. Puppeteers’ numbers are in decline, the younger generation prefers other forms of entertainment. Moreover, these puppeteers have to go through a very demanding training, they have to not only control the puppets but also have various language skills and knowledge of Vedas, classical music and even Ayurveda.

Kairali Ayurvedic Healing Village is one of the best Ayurvedic resorts I have visited in Kerala. Their mission is to value and continue to preserve Ayurveda and promote it as a science of healthy living throughout the world.

When Ayurveda? The temperature in Kerala is very favorable throughout the year. The best season to visit is from September to April, but the most effective time to undergo Ayurvedic treatment is the monsoon season: July and August.

Nearest airports: Coimbatore (60 km) and Cochin (Kochi) in the south – 120 km.

More information: Kairali

More information about Kerala: Kerala Tourism

Text: © Copyright Ingrid, Travelpotpourri

Fotos: © Copyright Ingrid, Travelpotpourri