Old houses get new life in Kerala

Blending the modern and traditional, dilapidated 'manas' and 'tharavads' (traditional homes) in Kerala are being renovated to suit the tastes of tourists and packaged with Ayurvedic treatments.

The 500-year-old Poomully Mana at Peringode in Kerala's Palakaad district has been renovated and is being used as a heritage Ayurvedic treatment centre with all facilities to suit modern lifestyles without losing sight of traditional values.

All the traditional Ayurvedic treatments are administered in the special 'Poomully way' which follows the texts and documents of the ancient sages, says Sajeev Kurup, president and CEO of the 'Ayurveda Mana', which has been showcased at the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM).

A variety of treatments for panchkarma, beauty care, weight loss, arthritis, spondylitis, slipped disc, backache, sports injuries and various other skin diseases and diabetes are all available here, Kurup said.

Treatments for cancer, infertility, arthritis and rheumatism are also available.

Among the facilities are 12 heritage rooms with antique furniture, expert Ayurvedic physicians and an Ayurveda diet menu prepared at the mana and Yoga rooms.

Kurup, who had signed a JV with the Aram Thampuran family, said he had renovated the ancient mana at an estimated cost of Rs 50 lakh. They were also looking at other such heritage properties.

The herbal plants used for various treatments are grown at the mana farm itself. The three-storeyed mana has eight rooms and 12 treatment rooms. It has a restaurant with dining facilities for 16 persons.

Kurup said they were also looking at the 160-year-old Kurungad mana for developing it as an Ayurvedic heritage centre.

Poomully Neelakandan Namboodiripad, renowned as Aram Thampuran, was a legend in his lifetime. He was an authority in the diverse disciplines of Ayurveda, Kalarippayat (martial art), Yoga and other performing arts.

Aram Thampuran of Poomully mana became the last word in Ayurveda treatment. (Agencies)