karmakerala.com news

Business Standard Ltd.: “Kerala is not only ‘God’s own country’, but is now also the land of Ayurveda especially until the middle of August.

Tourism in Kerala has got a different dimension during the monsoon season which was hitherto neglected as offseason. But now business is flourishing for tourism thanks to the ayurvedic treatment. This year the season has been a boon to the tourism sector and business.

In Malayalam era Karkidakam is the month of treatment and now-a-days it has become a passion of the people in and outside Kerala. Ayurvedic resorts and hospitals sport ‘housefull’ signs for the special Panchakarma treatment which includes uzhichil, pizhichil, dhara, kizhi and special vegetarian food. The food habit is similar to that of ‘Sathwik Bhojan’ in North India.

Panchakarma treatment has different packages from three days to 21 days according to need of the customer and the cost varies from Rs 5,000-25,000 and more for the various speciality treatments.

Normally in Kerala tourist season ends by April when the monsoons begin. But for the last few years, tourists have pouring into Kerala from abroad for ayurvedic treatment. It is well known that the treatment during the month of Karkidakam is effective for many of the ailments.

In the organised sector of ayurveda treatment the turnover is around Rs 400-500 crore annually and 40 per cent of this comes during the monsoon season, say ayurvedic doctors here.

Incidentally, even health department of the state is does not have a data on the treatment centers and its functioning and there is no control over the working of these centres. Unorganised sector is bigger than the organised sector and there is no official record of their treatment facilities of this sector.

Most of the massage parlours in major cities of Kerala are being run under the cover of ayurveda treatment centres and girls are employed for attracting customers.

Panc”