Growing up, my understanding of Ayurveda was abysmal. While it always felt good to spend time in nature, I was truly oblivious to its healing (must I say, magical) properties. Of course, I’d heard tales of people bouncing back from chronic ailments after walking down the holistic path, but it wasn’t until I got to interact with the people at Kairali and experience the magic myself, that I turned into a staunch believer.
The opportunity to visit this idyllic property in Kerala came around just when I needed it the most. The daily hustle and work-induced stress had clearly gotten to me. So, a short three-day trip to Kairali felt like the universe had indeed conspired in my favour. Located in a small town called Palakkad in Kerala, the moment you land in the village, you are embraced by a blanket of serenity—green lush trees, beautiful flowers and slow life. Luckily, I visited the retreat in November, so I also got to witness a slice of Kerala’s much-loved monsoons.
Much like most visitors, I was blissfully unaware of the surprises that awaited me at the healing centre. Guarded by a giant gate, a love affair with nature awaits as one enters the property. Flanked by tall trees on both sides, I instantly felt transported to another world. A meditation session was underway, and I was already drawn to the soulful music that reverberated across the 60-acre healing townlet that roughly houses about 30 villas. Upon reaching the reception, you are greeted by affable staff and fresh coconut water. What’s more, the villas are allotted according to your star sign as ayurveda, I’m told, plays a key role in astrology.
The palatial rooms are airy, well-lit and made of red bricks in eco-friendly Laurie Baker-style. However, the bed was inarguably the highlight of my room. Made of red-oxide stones, the built of the bed ensures that you enjoy peaceful, undisturbed sleep— a hallmark of good health. While I was tempted to snooze away for a couple of hours, I was equally excited to explore the lunch menu. As we walked to the lunch room, I was educated by the staff on how Kairali came into being. The Ayurvedic centre was founded in New Delhi in 1989. Its rapid popularity led to its expansion, the business soon forayed into the wellness and holistic treatment space in Palakkad. K.V. Ramesh and Gita Ramesh set up the village in 1999 to bring forward the legacy of their forerunners, who were ancient Ayurvedic vaidyas. The centre has a strong footing with over 33 treatment centres across India in addition to 9 international centres.
What’s interesting to note is that each and every material used in building the estate as well as running the estate is sustainable and locally sourced. I could not help but notice the sweet sounds of the bird and the wind crashing with the trees. I was at peace already. The lunch menu comprises homely, vegan meals, but they were far from disappointing. The menu is designed in such a way that one gets to eat only as much as their body requires. This ensures that no food goes to waste. All through the stay, the chef treated us to scrumptious meals including breakfast, lunch and dinner, and none of the meals felt boring. For once, I enjoyed being vegan.
It was time for me to crash and take a quick nap before I could be greeted by the staff for a quick introduction session. A few hours of calm sleep later, I was once again in a hall, getting to know about the rich history of Kairali. After the brief session, I decided to take a stroll around the property. Apart from the amazing villas, the property features facilities like a swimming pool, a gym, a hospital and a healing centre. You can also just grab a book and relax on a hammock, cherishing some ‘off time’ in the lap of nature.
The little gazebo-like area was one of the prettiest spots in the estate. A chit-chat with the residents who were staying at the village, and I found out that a volley of them were living in the property for months. Many guests come here for specific treatments, many come to connect with nature and many come just to take a break. I was then invited by a local astrologer at Kairali who gave me an insight into my future. He did predict that I was going to have a great time at the estate, and well guess what, his readings were accurate. (Strange, but true.)
Day 2 started on a rather early note for me. I am not a morning person, but I did not mind waking up to a serene view of the fragrant forest that shielded the village. I was invited to a yoga class, an offer that truly feels inviting in a set-up like this. Followed by this, I was escorted to the healing centre. The commencement of any ayurvedic treatment at the centre begins with a consultation with the in-house doctor. The healing centre offers treatments like Abhayangam, Shirodhara, Potli massage, Udhvardhanam, Navarakhizhi, and other holistic panchakarma therapies.
After my routine, I was asked to attend a lecture organised by the doctors. It was a quick interactive session where the experts drop deeper insights on the three doshas, the balance our body needs and how can one manage these doshas. It ended in time for me to attend the meditation session. I once again was in the beautiful amphitheatre region. The dimly lit room is situated right next to a brook, so you actually meditate on the calm voice of the instructor and the sound of nature around you. I felt so rejuvenated after the session that I was looking forward to day 3 already. After yet another amazing dinner, we called it a night.
After the routine yoga session, I went straight for my treatment. The relaxing treatment made me feel super hungry. At breakfast, I could not help but notice that I was being served ‘pink water’— Pathimugam, a popular Kerala drink that is known to be extremely good for gut health. The village is served only this water as it keeps your digestive health in check. I was also told that the freshly plucked fruits that I enjoyed for breakfast and the greens that I had eaten so far at the property were sourced from their own farm, which is located just a few minutes away from the estate. No wonder, every meal left a good aftertaste.
Day 3 was then followed by a quick cooking class. The chef took us through several simple yet incredibly delicious recipes and shared his tips and tricks on how to eat clean. It was fascinating to see how we can do so much with so little.
Following the cooking class, we took a slight detour and stepped out to visit the local markets (something only I was allowed to do). Spices, filter coffee, sarees and the yummiest banana chips, I returned with several bags in my hand. Luckily, I was in time to see a special play called Tholppavakkoothu, which is a form of shadow puppetry, performed using leather puppets.. As I still had some time to kill before dinner, I took a stroll around the property and felt consumed by a sense of calm. I realised I am going to miss this slow living and the daily ayurvedic treatments the most.
The three-day stay at Kairali really helped in recharging my batteries. We often get so caught up with work and its nitty-gritty, we forget to take that much-needed break and build a perspective on things that truly matter. Rest assured, a staycation at this property aims to offer just that. The cordial staff, the picturesque property, the learnings— it all felt like a warm hug that I often longed for, after a tiring day at work.
If this interests you and you wish to visit the place, you can find all the details here.
