Wellness tourism destinations in India
Wellness tourism potentials are being tapped in the country
Wellness tourism is on the rise in India with the Ministry of Tourism, India promoting and tapping wellness tourism potentials and destinations within the country. The Ministry maintains that it is being done by positioning India as a centre of Ayurveda, Yoga, Sidha and Naturopathy together with the spiritual philosophy that has been integral to the Indian way of life.
Ministry of Tourism (MoT) has drafted guidelines for wellness tourism which address issues regarding making available quality publicity material, training and capacity building for the service providers, participation in international & domestic wellness related events among other things. The Ministry of Tourism has also extended its Market Development Assistance (MDA) scheme to wellness tourism service providers including accredited wellness centres.
Here is a list of five wellness tourism destinations in India:
- Soukya International Holistic Health Centre, Bengaluru
The wellness centre in Whitefield, Bangalore is known for its alternative healing methods. The diverse programmes at Soukya Holistic Health Centre also include the Leech Therapy, which naturally detoxifies and cleanses harmful toxins from the body with the help of leeches. Other popular programmes include Yoga, Meditation and Nasal Cleansing.
A Soukya special sattvic diet
It also provides authentic Ayurvedic treatment. Soukya Holistic Health Centre encourages sattvic diet; a diet based on Ayurvedic and Yogic rituals to enhance metabolism by flushing out toxins from the body. Their services are administered by trained professionals who combine ancient medical techniques with modern therapies to restore the balance of the body, mind and soul.
- Ananda in the Himalayas, Uttarakhand
One of the most sought after wellness centres, Ananda in the Himalayas is a spa and resort that is at the epitome of spreading wellness tourism in India. The Ananda Spa in Rishikesh, along the foothills of the Himalayas, spans over 100 acres and offers a variety of spa treatments to its patrons. The clients can avail from a plethora of choices ranging between weight loss, meditation, yoga and wellness, cleansing, de-stress, detoxification, anti-ageing and personal grooming.
A yoga session for the tourists at Ananda
The spa provides an example of Indo-western fusion, as the treatments infuse Ayurveda with western techniques for enriching customer experience. They also offer customised packages with massage therapies, nutritious diet under the supervision of experts for holistic healing.
- The Leela Kovalam, Kerala
The Leela Kovalam has carved a niche for themselves in the wellness and tourism front offering its patrons a separate “Lifestyle”, “Wellness” and “Therapeutic” package to choose from within its Ayurveda special. Lifestyle package helps to detoxify, de-stress and rejuvenate whereas wellness offers to help slow-down aging and reduce weight. Therapeutic focuses on addressing ailments such as rheumatoid arthritis, spondylitis, migraines and lower back pain.
Ayurveda spa is a specialty of the Leela Kovalam
There is also a private yoga studio for revelers to encourage yoga and meditation by trained professionals.
- Devaaya, Ayurveda and Nature Cure Centre, Goa
Located at Divar Island, the Devaaya Ayurveda and Nature Cure Centre Devaaya is a luxury Ayurveda and Yoga resort with rigorous treatments and therapies administered by experts. It offers pure Ayurveda and Naturopathy treatments and therapies to help rejuvenate the body, mind and spirit. It also offers advanced yoga courses to those who desire to have a healthy and stress free lifestyle.
Patrons enjoying the yoga session at Devaaya
The design of the centre is planned according to Vaastu Shastra which adds to the overall wellness experience.
- Kalari Kovailakom, Kerala
Dubbed the “Palace for Ayurveda”, Kalari Kovailakom is an ancient palace converted into an Ayurveda centre. Fashioned in the manner of ancient ashrams, the Kalari Kovailakom is strict in its functioning and its protocols prohibit meat, caffeine, leather accessories and alcohol within the premises and during the stay.
Customised purifying bath at Kalari Kovailakom
It however treats its patrons to a holistic and personalised Ayurvedic lifestyle which is a combination of balanced diet, massages, herbal treatments and purifying baths.
