Kairali’s healing ecosystem

SWAYING palmyras, vast vistas of paddy fields, meandering roads and the undulating Sahyadri range heralded our welcome to Palakkad, the green getaway of Kerala. After a drive through idyllic hamlets in Palakkad, we entered a stately gateway. It led to a driveway and the reception area of Kairali — The Ayurvedic Healing Village that is situated on 70 acres amidst lush greenery and overlooks the magnificent Western Ghats.

Kairali has seen a rash of awards ever since K.V. Ramesh, managing director, and Gita Ramesh, joint managing director, forayed into the wellness and holistic treatment space in 1999. They strove to carry forward the legacy of their forefathers, who were ancient Ayurvedic vaidyas. The recent multiple awards bagged at the 18th Annual World Luxury Hotel and Spa Awards signifies global recognition for their efforts in the Ayurveda and sustainable luxury space.

What caught our city-weary eyes instantly was the lush landscaping and architectural beauty. The place has 30 exclusive villas set in tranquil surroundings which offer seclusion and privacy. Conforming to Vaastu norms, the reception faces east and has three split levels. The technology developed by Laurie Baker has been adopted here and the construction is very cost-effective.

The most remarkable feature is the landscaping. A gurgling stream meanders  past colourful fountains and provides an apt environment for meditation. In front of each villa there is a water body, a motif that runs right through the property. Strategically placed boulders help you cross the stream as it weaves through lawns, bushes and coconut trees, of which there are said to be over 1,200.

Aesthetics is the focal point here whether it is the colourful fountains or the curved bridge leading to the Ayurvedic Centre. At the Healing Village, multi-hued flowers were in bloom, adding a burst of colour amid the greenery.

Kairali has embodied sustainability in every aspect of its making. The 30 cottages draw inspiration from Vaastu Shastra. No two are alike. Classified into deluxe villa, classic, royal and maharaja’s suite, they are named after the Malayalam birth stars. They have red oxide flooring typical of traditional, ancestral homes in Kerala. This has natural cooling properties and follows traditional Ayurveda principles. The valambari conch placed in each room is believed to radiate positive vibration for the body.

Extensive usage of locally available laterite stones, red-tiled sloping roofs, walls made of red bricks, and minimal use of cement in the villas, dining and treatment areas is discernible. Designed by the Nirmithi Kendra, known for its creativity and use of local material, each structure is distinctive yet complementary.

Other exquisitely designed buildings house various facilities such as an office area, an indoor games area, health centre, canteen, conference hall and so on. The huge tennis court and an elegant swimming pool will appeal to the more actively inclined. The water tank is unique, with the ground floor being used as a storeroom and the first floor serving as a cable TV operation room. The consulting rooms and the treatment block are equally aesthetically designed. A bridge over a stream leads to the yoga and meditation centre.

The canteen is tastefully decorated. One can feel positive vibes as one enters. Every dish here follows a ‘farm-to-table’ ethos and is entirely vegetarian and organic. The nutritious food helps to detoxify and bring about a balance in the doshas (vata, pita and kapha) of the body. The menu is curated specially for each guest by the doctor, as part of the treatment procedure. For lunch and dinner, light and clear vegetable soups with lentil curry, seasonal vegetable fries, phulkas, green gram dosas, finger millet dosas, red rice and desserts made with seasonal fruits are served. White sugar is taboo. Instead, palm jaggery is used. Pathimugam, a pink water known to be extremely good for gut health, is served here.

Rest and relaxation comprise the only agenda at Kairali. The gamut of treatment packages is, however, expensive and the duration varies from three to 21 days. The rejuvenation programmes offer to tone the skin, repair worn-out muscles and tissues, build immunity, improve blood circulation, purge toxins from the body, help shed excess weight and increase longevity. The therapeutic programmes promise to cure chronic ailments such as headaches, insomnia, tension, rheumatic diseases, arthritis, spondylitis, sinusitis, bronchial issues and migraine.

For the beauty-conscious, a seven-day package combines head massages with herbal facials and face packs. Guests are introduced to a natural and healthy lifestyle that promises to retard premature ageing, improve vitality, and promote good looks. The Ayurvedic programmes include rejuvenation therapy that helps to restore and repair worn-out tissues, as well as specific programmes for weight loss, proven remedies for arthritis and spondylitis, as well as sinusitis and migraine treatment.

According to the doctor, a large percentage of the clientele comprises those suffering from diabetes, hypertension, asthma, migraine, and arthritis. Kairali also treats those who are chronically constipated. There are packages for post-natal rejuvenation too. The nimble fingers of the expert masseurs knead away body tension and eliminate insomnia. Aches and pains melt away as one lies on a specially made wooden bed and warm medical oils are applied all over the body. Classic abhyangam with brisk rhythmic strokes untangled the tense knots in our bodies. The massages are complemented by steam baths, hot packs, showers, yoga exercises and meditation.

A stay at Kairali is also peppered with cultural programmes, fortune-telling palmists and astrologers, cooking classes, yoga and meditation sessions. You can also stroll through the organic farms and herbal gardens, and watch birds and butterflies flit past.