What is wrong with our current lifestyle is no more a rhetorical question. With the air quality index reaching alarmingly low in various parts of the country and world, sedentary lifestyles on a rise globally and the tempting food delivery apps at the touch of finger, the habit of eating right and on time seems to be a thing of distant past. We all have been storing toxins in our system knowingly and unknowingly, on a daily basis. Therefore, staying healthy in an unhealthy world is extremely important.
Instagram, for instance, is full of posts by various people celebrating the third, fourth, and so on anniversary of their medical condition, largely caused by urban stress and unhealthy lifestyle habits. Never before, the wellness gap looked this wide as it does now. So how do we ensure that we are keeping well on a holistic level? One of the ways is through Panchakarma. Panchkarma is an effective way to close this gap as it reduces the distance between an individual and their health goals by putting them on the track of a healthy lifestyle.
Panchakarma is a wellness reset for the body, mind and soul. The word Panchakarma translates to a five-step procedure or a set of five actions that are performed on the body to help it get rid of the accumulated toxins. You’d be shocked to know that the human body at any particular time is believed to store more than seven hundred toxic chemicals in it. What Panchakarma does is that it Marie-Kondos these toxins from the body through a set of prescribed procedures. The elimination of toxins activates the energy meridians besides safeguarding an individual from future diseases and medical conditions.
The entire process of Panchkarma is primarily divided into three steps:
Poorva Karma - It involves preparing the body for the main step i.e. Panchkarma; Poorva Karma involves the process of Snehan and Sweden to help the body shed toxins.
Pradhan Karma - It is the main step of Panchakarma involving five stages of purification namely Vaman, Virechana, Basti, Nasya and Rakta Mokshana.
Paschat Karma - It is the follow-up phase during which the practitioner prescribes the dietary regimen to an individual.
These Panchakarma processes are carried out in a sequence so as to prepare the body for the next treatment. The various treatments of Panchakarma are done with an objective to achieve harmony between vata, kapha and pitta. The following five therapies are considered to be crucial to maintain a healthy balance between the vata, kapha and pitta. They are Vaman (medically induced vomiting), Virechan (bowel cleaning treatment), Basti (administering enema), Nasya (de-congesting nasal area), Raktamokshan (removing impure blood), Sweedana (removing toxins through body heat) and Abhyanga (a medicated Ayurvedic massage).
"Because we cannot scrub our inner body we need to learn a few skills to help cleanse our Tissues. Organs & Mind. This is the heart of AYURVEDA."
-- Sebastian Pole
As opposed to popular myth, budget Panchakarma programmes are also available at certified centres in India. Though finding a budget Panchakarma centre that suits the budget of an individual can be a major draw, one needs to be aware about the facilities, educational qualifications and experience of the Ayurvedic doctor, certifications and more before enrolling themselves for a budget Panchakarma program.
The 12 budget Panchakarma centres, we are going to talk about below, offer quality level Panchakarma at an affordable price point. So treat this article as a starter kit for choosing a Panchakarma centre for your wellness journey. The list of Top 12 budget Panchakarma centres below has been sorted in descending order of price per day for an all-inclusive Panchakarma Programme.
Per day USD 91 | INR 6,775+
Ayur Bethaniya Ayurveda Hospital is a NABH certified Ayurveda hospital in Kerala. It provides various Ayurveda treatments including Budget Panchakarma treatment to the patients in a homely atmosphere. It is one of the few hospitals in Kerala, and India where Ayurveda doctors work alongside allopathy doctors to craft the best treatment map for their patients. The hospital, at present, has a strong team of three Ayurveda doctors namely Dr Shincy Kottarathil (MD, Ayurveda), Dr Ajayarag (MD, Panchakarma) and Dr Surya Bhai (BAMS).
CC William Verghese, Chairman, Ayur Bethaniya Ayurveda Hospital, envisions to make it one of the best hospitals on an international level in the near future. Ayur Bethaniya Ayurveda Hospital currently offers accommodation facilities in the following options – suite, executive and premium room. They also have facilities such as access to Vyayama (exercise) – their health club, swimming pool, organic vegetable farm and a herbal garden to boast of . The 14 Days Budget Panchakarma Programme includes
Per day USD 69 | INR 5,250+
Dhathri Ayurveda Hospital in Puthiyavila, Alappuzha, Kerala is a NABH accredited hospital with a heritage spanning more than three hundred years. The hospital was formerly known as Warriers Hospital, and eventually rebranded to Dhathri Ayurveda Hospital. Shri Parameswara Vaidyar is considered to be the forefather of Dhathri Ayurveda. Shri Parameswara Vaidyar was widely reputed for his healing powers of curing almost any kind of diseases. Today, Dhathri Ayurveda hospital is helmed by Dr S Sajikumar.
Dr Sajikumar has left no stone unturned in making Ayurveda accessible to the masses. He is also the brain behind Dhathri Soukhyaveda philosophy. Known to blend scientific research with classical and patented Ayurveda products, Dr Sajikumar is taking Dhathri hospital to newer heights. He is credited for evangelizing Ayurveda by synchronizing its traditional knowledge into newer formats, ensuring its authentic effectiveness being convenient to the community. Dr S Sajikumar for his efforts has won numerous awards such as Excellence in Innovation in Health Care by Times of India, Yuva Pratibha Award by Government of Kerala and more. Speaking of the accommodation options, Dhathri Ayurveda Hospital provides rooms of following kinds namely WaterFront Retreat (an air-conditioned cottage), Standard room and a non air conditioned budget room for a price conscious wellness traveler. Budget Panchakarma Treatment at Dhathri Ayurveda Hospital start at a minimum of 14 days.
Per day USD 52.7 | INR 3,999+
Mitra Hermitage Ayurveda Hospital is located in Thiruvallam, near Kovalam beach, Trivandrum, Kerala. The hospital is Green Leaf certified and has been awarded with Certificate of Excellence by Tripadvisor quite a number of times. Panchakarma treatment is one of their strong suits. All the Panchakarma treatments at Mitra Hermitage Ayurveda Hospital are done as per wisdom and knowledge contained in ancient Ayurvedic texts. Mitra Hermitage Ayurveda Hospital is also at the forefront of devising safety measures for its guests. One of such measures it has implemented is the adoption of ETO (Ethylene Oxide sterilization) sterilized Anuvasana and Nirooha Yasti disposable sets for those undergoing vasti treatment in the Panchakarma. Mitra Hermitage Ayurveda Hospital, in fact, is the only Ayurveda hospital across the globe, to use ETO sterilized Anuvasana and Nirooha vasti sets for the Panchakarma treatments.
The hospital has doctors such as Dr S Mahesh (BAMS with 23 years of experience), Dr Anitha ( BAMS with 27 years of experience) and Dr Lakshmi ( BAMS with 8 years of experience) on board. The Ayurveda hospital also takes great pains in keeping its premises eco-friendly through various measures such as installing biogas plants, solar water heaters, incinerators and more. The accommodation facilities at the hospital are named after the holy trinity of Hindu mythology – providing an unfettered view of the riverfront to their discerning occupants. The 14 days Budget Panchakarma Treatment at Mitra Hermitage Ayurveda Hospital includes
Per day USD 52 | INR 3,999+
Established by M.C. Kunjuraman Vaidyan, and later on taken to new heights by Vaidya Kala Nidhi R. Krishnan Vaidyan, Krishnendu Ayurveda in Kerala dates back to 1908. This temple of wellness has been in existence for more than a decade. Currently, Krishnendu Ayurveda is managed by the fourth generation of the Kunjuraman family. Krishnendu Ayurveda Hospital has successfully completed its preliminary NABH assessment besides being an approved centre for reimbursement on treatments for the employees of Kerala Government. Krishnendu Ayurveda Hospital has so far treated 2.5 million+ patients since its inception.
The hospital is currently supervised by Dr Mohan Babu. Dr Babu hails from the Chingoli Ayurveda family of physicians, and has more than thirty years of experience under his belt. He has also been the recipient of Global Excellence Awards in 2010 from the hands of Honourable Health Minister of Kerala. Krishnendu Ayurveda Hospital is also heavily vested in recycling and upcycling efforts. It carefully segregates the waste it generates - converting food waste into biogas, which in turn, is utilized for the production of Ayurvedic medicines. The wastewater is used for irrigating the garden after it undergoes a series of treatments. Their commitment towards sustainability can be witnessed in the nutritious meals they offer while trying to manage carbon footprint. The green leaf certified centre offers a bundle of treatment packages designed specifically to manage a particular illness. The centre offers accommodation in one of the rooms of its Ayurveda hospital for a budget-conscious wellness traveller. The 14 days Budget Panchakarma Treatment at Krishnendu Ayurveda includes
Per day USD 50 | INR 3,702+
Elephant Pass Ayurveda And Yoga Retreat in Kerala is a riverside Ayurveda resort adjoined by the Kodanad – the famous elephant kraal. The Ayurveda and Yoga retreat is situated amidst a jungle like atmosphere and is hence apt for those who’d like to go for a wellness getaway with a side of wilderness. Elephant Pass Ayurveda And Yoga Retreat has more than ten years of experience in administering various Ayurvedic treatments. It is also an AYUSH certified Ayurvedic centre by the Government of Kerala.
The retreat also offers an option of a female therapist for its female guests. Once you book your spot with them, the centre’s team of Ayurveda doctors and therapists take over to take care of your wellness journey end –to-end without allowing you to worry about any of its aspects. The guests, during their course of stay, can check-in at their deluxe or standard room with both the rooms available with or without air-conditioner depending upon their preference. The 14 days Budget Panchakarma Treatment at Elephant Pass Ayurveda And Yoga Retreat includes
Per day USD 38 | INR 2,810+
Dheemahi Ayurveda Neelimanglam Ayurveda Centre in Kerala offers Panchakarma treatment at an economical cost. Legally recognized by the Government of Kerala, Dheemahi Ayurvedic Centre uses medicines from its own GMP certified herbal pharmacy. The centre also has a policy of only hiring certified therapists and attendants in its team. These therapists undergo regular training sessions conducted by the centre’s in-house doctors to broaden their knowledge base.
Dheemahi Ayurvedic Centre has four doctors in its current team namely, Dr B Gireesh ( DAM), Dr J Padmadevi (BAM), Dr Jayakrishnan (BAMS, MD: Kayachikitsa) and Dr Namitha Suseel (BAMS.) While one of its doctors, Dr B Gireesh also serves as an honorary advisor to the Minister of Health – Government of Kerala; it’s other doctor Dr J Padmadevi has been an ex Chief Medical Officer at Indian System of Medicine, Government of Kerala. Dr J Padmadevi is also the granddaughter of famed Ayurveda wizard Varkala Raman Vaidyan. The Classical Panchakarma Program at Dheemahi Ayurvedic Centre requires a minimum stay of four weeks and is considered to be one of the best in Kerala. The best part about the Ayurvedic treatments at Dheemahi Ayurvedic Centre is the personalization approach that they follow. All the treatments ( including Panchakarma) are malleable by design-and fixed after a series of consultations with their team of expert doctors. The rooms at the centre are pretty basic in nature, with it focusing more on the Ayurvedic treatments rather than amenities includes
Per day USD 28 | INR 2,115+
Krishnatheeram Ayur Holy Beach Resort in Varkala, Kerala is an abode to breathtaking vistas ranging from laterite cliffs hugging the shores of the Arabian Sea to lush green scenery in its vicinity. Haraka, the Ayurveda centre at the resort is a green leaf certified centre with experienced therapists and authentic treatments in tow. All the treatments at Krishnatheeram (including Panchakarma) are bespoke in nature.
The resort also believes in the six taste theory of Ayurveda. As per the Shad Rasa or six taste theory, every meal served should cater to all the six taste buds (rasas) of an individual. These rasas are Madhura Rasa (sweet), Amla Rasa (sour), Lavana Rasa (salty), Tikta Rasa (bitter), Kashaya Rasa ( Astringent), and Ushna Rasa (Sharp taste.) The resort during the course of your stay for Panchakarma treatment/s offer accommodation options in the form of cottages with sea view or cottages with herbal garden view. Besides that it also has an infinity sea pool to melt your stress and worries away.
Per day USD 88 | INR 7,000+
Ideal Ayurvedic Resort in Kerala offers certain specialized packages for various chronic diseases. The Ayurvedic resort was founded by a traditional Ayurvedic Physician (Vaidyar) J Christudas in 1997. J Christudas, since his childhood, was interested in herbs, nature and Ayurveda. His interest was also born from observing his grandfather treat people using Ayurveda. This subsequently led him to pursue Ayurveda further with the establishment of Ideal Ayurvedic Resort in Kerala.
Ideal Ayurvedic Resort is an Olive Leaf Certified resort by the Government of Kerala. The resort offers a range of accommodation from traditional Kerala cottages to simple rooms as per the category of booking. In all, the resort has over fifty rooms furnished appropriately to ensure their guest’s comfort. It should be noted that the Panchkarma centre at the resort believes in a constitutional analysis of an individual followed by an ayurvedic disease diagnosis before commencing therapies of any nature and kind includes
Per day USD 24 | INR 1,844+
Surrounded by paddy fields and hills in the horizon, Ayuryogashram Ayurveda Centre in Parlikad village, near Thrissur, Kerala is built in a traditional Kerala architecture style known as Nalukettu. The Ayurveda centre is designed as per the design principles of Vaastu – a traditional Indian system of architecture.
Spread across an area of 2.5 acre, Ayuryogashram Ayurveda Centre has a main building, an annex, meeting space and rooms for the guests. Ayuryogashram Ayurveda Centre is Green Leaf Certified, which means you can be rest assured of its credibility and trustworthiness in the field of Ayurveda. At present, Dr K Muraleedharan is serving as a Chief Physician at Ayuryogashram. Dr K Muraleedharan is a MD in Ayurveda Studies and has more than forty years of experience in the field of Ayurveda. Dr K Muraleedharan has also served as Chairman, BAMS Examination Board and MD Examiner across various universities in Kerala in the past. Ayuryogashram Ayurveda Centre was started by Mr MPK Nair. Unfortunately, Dr Nair passed away in 2017 at the age of 85.