Amongst forest, mountains and lakes is a part of India that is untouched. It is what the area of Kudayathoor village in Kerala is known for in fact. Non-commercial, non-touristy, non-polluted and a bit of the beaten track.

It is here lies Madukkakuzhy Ayurveda Lakes and Mountains centre, the families second home in Kerala. The first centre is about a 2-hour drive, depending on Indian traffic of course, in Parathodu. The third centre in Bad Bocklet, Germany and where my initial blog took place in June this year.

Madukkakuzhy Ayurveda is celebrating 80 years of Ayurvedic healing this year, however the family has in actual fact been practicing Ayurveda for eight generations, and soon to be nine.

The entire business operates like a family and patients are treated somewhat the same. Senior member of the family, expert physician and eminent scholar of our time who laid the foundation of Madukkakuzhy Ayurveda in 1938, Mr. Mathew Madukkakuzhy, wanted it to be intimate. Just like the ancient texts of Ayurveda suggest, he also lived by the shloka “treat every patient like your child.”

Mr. Mathew welcomed three sons into the world, Dr. Robin Jacob and Dr. Jobin who are both Ayurvedic Doctors and Subin Jacob, who is director of finance and marketing at Madukkakuzhy Ayurveda. Together with their respected partners, they are all part of the business and live on-site at the main Parathodu centre with their patients.

The Madukkakuzhy family choose not to specialise in anything in particular, but clearly have a strong success rate in curing a range of diseases from psychosomatic and stress related disorders, post-cancer patients, Parkinson’s, insomnia, arthritis, skin diseases and more.

Dr. Jobin states stress and patients unable to let go of traumatic events in life as reasons for illness. He said, “anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” The only person suffering is you. He said forgiveness is the only way to let go.

Faith in God together with trust in your doctors is always vital in healing. The family are devoted Christians however are open to all religions. The centre is blessed to have a church, mosque and temple all within walking distance.

But what truly sets this centre apart is the peaceful surroundings containing all five elements to heal and grow; earth, water, fire, air and space.

I couldn’t think of a better place to spend my final day and night in India after what was a crazy and transformational few weeks.

Accommodation

Lakes and Mountains is home to 10 cottages of various degree. A second centre named “healing island” also facing the Malankara lake is set to open on December 15 with an additional 10 rooms. The idea of designing these lake-view cottages is to bring guests closer to nature, to enjoy the mountain slopes, exotic tropical greenery, rolling hills and the lake.

Having only been open for three years, rooms are modern, spacious and clean with beautiful attention to detail.

Consultations

Dr. Robin Jacob and Dr. Jobin Madukkakuzhy visit Lakes and Mountains 2-3 times a week for consultations. There are three other doctors on-site 24/7 for patient care. Doctors diagnose and draw up a treatment plan after a detailed evaluation of your eyes (iris), tongue, pulse and general observation.

2-3 weeks is usually what is recommended for a standard Panchakarma.

Treatments

Traditionally to Ayurveda, there are male and female treatment rooms. Therapists are trained firstly at college and then for two months with the family. Dr. Jobin informed me of the importance of having therapists with both good intellect to carry out treatments and a good heart to have compassion for the patient.

Food and Herbs

During the treatment period, delicious vegetarian Indian Ayurvedic food according to body-type and disease is served to cleanse the body and to help it to recuperate.

The kitchen is headed by Mrs. Molly Joy (wife of Dr. Joy Mathew) supported by Mrs. Anju Robin (wife of Dr. Robin Jacob) and Mrs. Meethy Jobin (wife of Dr. Jobin) giving a motherly touch to the food with two special ingredients – love and care.

Nutritional supplements in the form of tablet/ organic medicines are also prescribed and given for the duration of your stay. The Mudukkakuzhy family manufacture about 70% of the prescribed herbs at their nearby facility. They follow Standardized Operating Procedure for storage, manufacture and batch identification. The unit is under close supervision by the team of doctors.

The medicines are prepared according to traditional recipes and in strict adherence to Ayurvedic texts with no compromise on quality.

Additional Activities

At Madukkakuzhy Ayurveda, Yoga is an integral part of the treatment program. You have the opportunity to learn under Dr. Robin Jacob and Mrs. Anju Robin who trained at Sivananda Yoga, Trivandrum, and Dr. Jomi PJ who coordinates the yoga training at the centres. They follow the teaching methodology of Sivananda Yoga and Iyengar Yoga. with rooftop views, who wouldn’t want to practice everyday?

Morning walks, cooking workshops and lectures given by the doctors are also available on demand.

If you’re not up to travel to India yet, both doctors visit the Germany centre four times a year. Dr. Jobin also lectures worldwide in countries including Germany, The Netherlands, Italy, Romania and more.

for bookings and further information, head to www.ayurveda-kerala.org

my deepest thank you to the family and staff for welcoming me so lovingly.

Travel Diary Part Two: Madukkakuzhy Ayurveda Lakes & Mountains, Kerala, India

Check out these photos of Madukkakuzhy Ayurveda healing island opening December 15, 2019.