“When all else in life fails, you take the most natural course of action. It proves to be a God-sent and you realize that in the long seen it is the real and the only one dependable means you fall back on.”
Keraleeya Ayurveda Samajam – Is a charitable trust registered under the charitable society act XXI of 1860. It has been accredited as one of the best places for Ayurvedic treatments as well as for learning the Indian System of medicine.
Established 124 years back, Keraleeya Ayurveda Samajam is a singular organisation in preserving and promoting the principles and practice of Ayurvedic medicines internationally.
Branched out to 5 places including Andamans the Samajam caters the needs of a clientele from different parts of India and abroad. Being beyond commercialisation and competition, it remains on ethical lines even today.
Originated from the celestial vision of the then Zamorin of Calicut, Manavikrama Ettan Raja to experience the knowledge and wisdom in the great healing science Ayurveda which to be made available to the common man. That time, when the ruling British Government was much sceptic about Ayurveda and other Indian System of Medicines, the decision taken by Zamorin of Calicut was truly revolutionary.
In 1902, the first ever congress of the samajam was convened at Chalappuram in Kozhikkode it was known as Arya Vaidya Samajam.
In 1913, Arya Vaidya Samajam was renamed as Keraleeya Ayurveda Samajam and registered under charitable society act. And, the word ‘Kerala’ came in somewhat 44 years before the state of Kerala was created.
The first ever Ayurveda Hospital for the general public in the world thus came into existence at cheruthuruthy on the southern banks of river Nila. The inauguration of the hospital was done under the presence of Madras Governor, Sir Arther Lovely.
The Zamorin insisted for the service of the eminent physicians and famous Ashtavaidyas to form a ‘chikitsayogam’. Hence the first ever ‘panel of physicians’ formed under the leadership of legendary ‘Tripangod Parameswaran Mooss’.
The attitude of the British Government towards Ayurveda changed, when the chief justice of high court, Sir Basil Scott became bedridden by chronic illness and was cured by Ayurvedic treatment under Samajam Chief physician Triprangod Parameswaran Mooss. Extremely satisfied by the service of Mooss, the governor general honoured him the first “Vaidyaratnam” title.
The next awardee was Thaikat Narayanan Mooss, who too received the honour while serving in Samajam. Dr. P. S. Warrier, the founder of Arya Vaidyasala Kottakkal who served the Samajam since its birth was the next person to receive the third Vaidyaratnam title in south India.
In 1940, Samajam was shifted to the northern banks of river Nila, in Shoranur. There, it flourished under the leadership of visionary K. R. Padmanabha Iyer as secretary and Rama Varma AppanThampuran as Managing Director (Later called as president).
Ever since its inceptions, Samajam has been fortunate enough to attract the very best talents in the field of Ayurvedic Science. Kochunni Thampuran (eminent Visha Vaidya), Ashtavaidyan Kuttancherry Valiya Aryan Mooss, Ashtavaidyan Vaidyaratnam Thaikkat Narayanan Mooss, Vaidyamatom Valiya Narayanan Namboodiri, Ashtavaidyan Thirunavaya Sankaran Mooss, Ashtavaidyan Pulamanthol Sankaran Mooss, Dr. K.V. Vaidyalinga Iyer, Padmasree Dr. K. Rajagopalan and the like served the Samajam to glory and new heights.
On the wings of the ideologies and voluntary services of ashtavaidyas and other renowned physicians in the field it was just a matter of time before this institution grew up to occupy an excellent position in providing authentic, classic, ayurvedic treatment in the world itself.
Well known personalities like the poet laurite Vallathol, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, Sett Nagji, Industrialist Kadarkutty Saheb were among the board of directors. Besides, the former Madras Governor Prakasam, the former Madras Chief Minister Kamaraj Nadar, Central Minister C. Subramanyam, former Prime Minister Gulsarilal Nanda, the freedom fighter and founder of “Mathrubhumi” K.P. Kesava Menon were also members of the Samajam. Personalities like the former President of India K. R. Narayanan and Padmavibhooshan Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer were associated with this unique institution of Ayurveda. It has a proud and rich Allumini of old students.
Dr. Sanker Dayal Sharma, the former president of India, inaugurated the 85th anniversary celebration of this institution.
President
Vice President
A complete health sanctuary embraced by the serene landscape of River Nila.
Keraleeya Ayurveda Samajam is now a universally known complete health sanatorium spread over 7 acres of lush green expanse of land that restless on the life enhancing banks of calm and serene river Nila, Shoranur. It truly serves as a heaven for those who wish to be far from the maddy crowd.
A unique archetectural marvel “Kayakalpa Kuteeram” also designed as per vasthusastra and the conditions mentioned in the ancient texts to undertake Kayakalpa Chikitsa .
Campus also illuminate with the divine presence of Mahaganapathy Temple –where the deities of Mahaganapathy, Lord Muruga, Goddess Durga, Nagas and Navagrahas are worshiped which provides a blessed and spiritual atmosphere.
Herbs are the integral part of Ayurvedic medicine and system. Varieties of medicinal plants are maintained over a large area in the garden. Proposed Nakshatravana and catagorised (gana oriented) garden (Dasapushpa, Dasamoola, Nalpamara etc) helps the common people to identify and understand about the medicinal flora.
Jagatyevam Anaushadham
There is no any herb in this world which does not have medicinal properties
Carrying the wisdom of Ayurveda beyond treatment and into the everyday life of the community.
Socially committed activities of Samajam include conducting awareness programme on healthy life style mentioned in classical Ayurveda literatures are managed time to time. Distributing ‘Karkkitaka Khanji’ to the public free of cost for 7 days in the month of Karkkitaka is conducted in every year which has great importance in maintaining the health of person throughout the year.
Samajam Chikitsa Sampradayam —
Panchakarma of Samajam
The authentic traditional treatment procedures of Ayurveda – the ‘Panchakarma’ have been well executed in the Samajam.
In fact, Samajam fathered the institutionalized practices of Ayurvedic therapies and introduction of specialised Kerala therapies like., Dhara (head bath), Pizhichil (body bath), Thalapothichil (helmet therapy), Njavarakizhi (Diaphoresis), Njavaralepam (special rice massage) etc.
Another well innovation to samajam credit was the sequential development and application of a Ayurvedic therapies. It explains the application of a set of therapies in a logical sequence as opposed to the haphazard introductions of some or the other therapies on the patient, while treating diseases of different origin and of different calibre. It also tells about the control over pressure, time, speed, heat and direction of a therapy while it is executed.
Well trained male and female therapists carry out the treatments under the close supervision of expert doctors. Modern diagnostic methods and clinical investigations also utilized effectively in the clinical practice as per necessity. There is hence, a blend of traditions and modernity in treatments to go with the contemporary needs.
Comfort, care and tranquillity in the natural surroundings of Samajam.
Samajam is a complete health sanatorium. It can accommodate 60 patients at a time. Independent cottages of various sizes are available and are designed to suit the needs of the patient. It includes, a separate treatment room, kitchen, toilet, bathroom etc. generally admission is confirmed well in advance for a comfortable and hassle free stay.
Most of the cottages and buildings were the outcome of the philanthropic gesture of the rich and the nighty of the yester years.
The patients can either cook for themselves in the cottages or can have food from the hospital canteen. Hospital canteen provides healthy vegetarian diet. In necessary circumstances according the disease status, special diet will be supplied as per the advice of doctors.
Fresh decoctions are prepared in the kitchen and supplied for the inpatients which are devoid of preservatives.
Keraleeya Ayurveda Samajam possess a rich heritage in the field of manufacturing Ayurvedic medicines. It is the first Vaidyasala, in which more than 400 products are manufactured with its traditional purity.
Besides the general medicines from the classical text of Ayurveda, there are a series of formulation made in the pharmacy from the old manuscript of ancient vaidyas and by the knowledge, experience and expertise of Samajam physician.
The method of preparations employed are traditional and mostly co-mechanized. The formulations like kashayams, lehyas, thylam are prepared in bronze vessels and the heat provided by using tamarind firewood. (to ensure the even distribution of temperature throughout the procedure).
Now Keraleeya Ayurveda Samajam pharmacy is a GMP certified company with a range of more than 400 formulations that are prepared, tried, tested and refined by the experts in the field with a traditional touch and configuring to the strict quality controls.
Samajam was the first to set up a ‘Padhanalayam’- a college to the public for studies in Ayurveda with a mind to create genuine physicians under the most efficient hands in this field present during those days.
The duration of the course was for 3 years and a degree ‘Vaidya’ was conferred at the end of its successful completion. For those completing 1 1/2 years course, a degree of ‘Upavaidya’ was awarded.
Later, the British Govt. endorsed the title ‘Vaidyapadan’ to the best among those who complete the course. It became the authentic certificate by the then council of physicians of the Samajam with the permission of British Govt. to practice Ayurveda. Later, a 4-year DAM course also conducted in Samajam till 1980.
The first ever journal in Ayuveda named “Dhanwanthari” was established in the year 1905 under the guidance of stalwarts in the field of Ayurveda from Samajam.