Kottakkal and the revival of Ayurveda
Story Dated: Tuesday, November 29, 2005 22:2 hrs IST
It can be said almost without doubt that Ayurveda owes its present status to Vaidya Ratnam PS Varrier of Kottakkal, in Malappuram district of northern Kerala. In 1902 it took him much intensive study of both Ayurveda and Allopathy, a lot of courage and persistence and a great deal of faith, to take the first step to revive a science that was jostled almost into non existence. Allopathic medicines had been brought in by the Europeans to India. Ayurveda practitioners were few and Ayurvedic medicines difficult to prepare. The situation was grim for the common man. An experiment that proved to be a boonP.S. Varrier made arrangements, to organise treatment under the Ayurvedic system and prepare and supply medicines in modern times by strictly following the ancient Ayurveda texts. The Ayurveda Patasala (School for Ayurveda) was set up in 1917 and the Ayurveda chikitsasala (Hospital) in 1924. More branches were to be opened across Kerala. And P.S. Varrier was honoured with the Vaidya Ratnam (gem among physicians) in 1933. Thanks to his efforts, Kerala has become the home of the ancient science of health and longevity. The good work continuesToday, the group has over twelve branches in Kerala, Delhi and Calcutta, more than 500 authorised agencies across India and abroad, a full fledged Ayurvedic college, research centre, charitable hospital, manufacturing, marketing and publication departments, and a botanical garden where medicinal plants are grown under natural conditions. Cultural contributionsThe Arya Vaidya Sala also promotes Kathakali (The classical art form of Kerala) through PSV Natya Sangham. The sangham possesses the best actors,musicians and artists in Kathakali, and gives free training to youngsters who have a taste for the art form. The troupe's, performances across the world have always won wide acclaim. A scholar's legacyChikitsa Samgraham is a virtual encyclopaedia of the indications, dosages and effects of the various medicines prepared by the Arya Vaidya Sala; a description of common diseases, their treatment and diet restrictions all written in easy to understand, simple Malayalam. This book has been translated into Hindi and English. Ashtanga Sareeram is P.S. Varrier's book on Anatomy and Physiology which has been a prescribed text book. Brihachareeram (in two volumes) is considered the most detailed and complete work on Anatomy and Physiology published in Sanskrit. Apart from these works, books are regularly published on the reports of seminars held every year. Since 1987, they have been bringing out a quarterly Ayurvedic medical journal The Arya Vaidyan. A brief account of the treatments offeredEffective treatments are offered here for paralysis, asthma, rheumatism, arthritis, spondilosis, hysteria, hallucinations, insanity and other psychosomatic diseases. In mental cases, cervical spondylosis, chronic skin diseases and headaches, Dhara is the treatment preferred.For curing diseases of eyes, ears and face, Takra dhara is found effective. There were instances where appendicitis, gastritis, etc, were completely cured. Period of treatment The treatments vary from 7 days course to 90 days. Usually the period is 14 to 21 days. Visiting hours 9.30 am to 12.30 pm on all days except Sundays and public holidays. Accommodation As there is always a heavy booking for accommodation in the Nursing Home, the patients are advised in their own interest to reserve their rooms in advance and come over only after getting their reservation confirmed. For more details, contactArya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal, Kerala,India.Pincode: 676503. Telephone numbers 009149342216, 2217, 2218, 2219, 2561, 2562, 2563, 2571 and 2572.Fax: 009149342210 Website: www.aryavaidyasala.com Getting there Located at Kottakkal in Malappuram district, North Kerala, which is on the Tirur Malappuram road, 16 km from Tirur, the nearest railway station. Buses and taxis always ply between Tirur and Kottakkal. Nearest airport : Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode, about 25 km from Kottakkal.
