Last Updated on 28/12/2024
India, the home of Ayurveda, is now also fast becoming a leading Ayurveda destination as people all over the world realize the holistic health benefits of this natural way of life.
Ayurveda originated in India more than 5,000 years ago and is part of the Rigveda, according to some scholars, while others believe it to be a part of the Atharvaveda. Legend states that Brahma disclosed the secrets of Ayurveda to Dhanvantari. Charaka and Sushruta are credited with developing Ayurveda further and have written treatises that are considered authoritative. The Mughal and British invasions pushed Ayurveda into the background, and after independence, there has been a gradual resurgence. Today, people are considerably more aware of the benefits of a holistic way of healing and living, which is essentially what Ayurveda offers. Medical tourism has kicked off, with several countries offering regional herbal treatments and spa facilities. India too has its specific centers for Ayurveda, and resort spas have come up in these locations, making them highly sought after as places where you can rejuvenate and restore health in a holistic way.
Of all the Ayurvedic treatments, Rasayana Chikitsa (rejuvenation treatment) is one of the most popular, as it is a holistic way to achieve better health. This treatment improves vitality and mental clarity. It includes a combination of massages with herbal medicated oils, steam baths, longevity treatments, toxin elimination, activation of Prana Force, and other treatments forming part of Panchkarma. If you join such a program, you will start with disciplined behavior, undergo self-purification, practice yoga (asanas and pranayama), and learn to control your senses in an overall fitness program that revitalizes you completely.
The Panchkarma process encompasses all these elements to bring the functions of your mind, organs, lungs, brain, and heart to peak condition, effectively turning you into a new being. This is by no means the only program available at Ayurvedic resorts. Ayurvedic experts treat a variety of illnesses such as osteoarthritis, facial paralysis, spondylosis, arthritis, and musculoskeletal problems, and they also handle difficult-to-cure diseases like leukemia and cancer.
Kerala has become the leading center for Ayurvedic treatments, as the state is blessed with an abundance of herbs and has a long-standing tradition dating back thousands of years. The climate in Kerala is warm and sunny, with July to September being the best time to undergo a holistic Ayurvedic program. If you would rather prefer to be somewhere cooler, Uttarakhand is the place to be, with its mountains and cool weather.
Ananda, Uttarakhand
- Location: Narendra Nagar, Uttarakhand, near the Ganges.
- Focus: Yoga, Ayurveda, hydrotherapy, and aromatherapy.
- Style: Northern-style Ayurveda with minimal oils, more massage.
- Cuisine: Ayurvedic food based on “Food is Medicine.”
- Reputation: Luxury wellness retreat known worldwide.

Ananda is a globally famous Ayurvedic resort and spa offering a variety of Ayurvedic and aromatherapy treatments. Located just 260 kilometers from Delhi, it is situated in the Palace Estate in Narendra Nagar, in the foothills of the Garhwal Mountains, with a lovely view of the Ganges and surrounding mountains. The resort offers yoga, Indian Ayurveda, Thai and European-style treatments, as well as hydrotherapy and massages. While Kerala Ayurvedic treatments rely more on herbal oils for a variety of treatments, Ananda follows the northern style with less emphasis on oils, focusing more on massages, hydrotherapy, and the use of herbs and yoga. Even food at Ananda follows the holistic Ayurveda principle that “food is medicine.”
Devaaya, Goa
- Location: On Divar Island, near Goa.
- Focus: Panchkarma, yoga, and naturopathy.
- Environment: Peaceful, riverside retreat for relaxation.
- Appeal: Popular among international visitors for Ayurvedic healing.
- Treatments: Detox, diet planning, and spa therapies.

Goa conjures up images of beaches, fun, and frolic. Surprisingly, it is also fast becoming a center for Ayurvedic treatments. Devaaya is one such resort located on Divar Island off the coast of Goa. It offers a range of naturopathy, Panchkarma, yoga, meditation, music therapy, and diet planning for international tourists.
Mandrem Beach in Goa also has several Ayurvedic holistic spas and resorts where you can enjoy the beauty of the scenic area, in addition to rejuvenating yourself.
Kairali, Palakkad, Kerala
- Location: In Palakkad, Kerala, surrounded by nature.
- Focus: Panchkarma, detox, and rejuvenation.
- Reputation: Known for its Ayurvedic village and personalized care.
- Experience: Tailored treatments based on individual needs.
- Programs: Anti-aging, stress relief, and wellness.

Kairali is an internationally acclaimed Ayurvedic village that offers a comprehensive range of Ayurvedic treatments. Located in Palakkad, Kerala, the resort is renowned for its expert therapists and personalized treatments.
The Leela, Udaipur
- Location: Scenic lake city of Udaipur, Rajasthan.
- Focus: Ayurvedic massages, yoga, and meditation.
- Luxury: 5-star resort with traditional Ayurvedic therapies.
- Wellness: Focus on rejuvenation and mental well-being.
- Cuisine: Ayurvedic meals for balanced health.

If only 5-star facilities will do for you, then head to The Leela, located in the picturesque lake city of Udaipur in Rajasthan. The resort offers hot stone massages, yoga, meditation, and facials the Ayurvedic way.
These are not the only Ayurvedic destinations. Most traditional Ayurvedic treatment centers operate without much fanfare or publicity, and even local people may not be aware of the existence of these centers or the treatments available. However, if you search, you will find.
For example, N Ayurveda International is a full-fledged Ayurvedic therapy center run by Dr. Ram in Rishikesh. The resort is located on the banks of the Ganges and provides Vedic remedies, including Panchkarma, Ayurvedic diet, yoga, pranayama, and Kaya Kalp in a personalized manner.
Rayirath Heritage Hotel in Thrissur is another specialist Ayurvedic resort offering 5-star facilities and the full range of Kerala Ayurvedic treatments, including yoga, meditation, Panchkarma, body slimming, skin and beauty care, de-stress programs, and anti-cellulitis therapy, along with Kerala Ayurveda cuisine.
If you plan to visit Kerala, you can consider Krishnendu Ayurveda Resort, which offers a complete range of Ayurveda treatments, including detox, rejuvenation, weight loss, slimming, yoga, meditation, anti-aging treatments, massages, Shirodhara, Janu Vasti, Nasyam, Panchkarma, and more.
One reason for Kerala’s rise as the most popular Ayurvedic destination in India is that the tradition of Ashtanga Hridayam, or the practical application of this ancient science developed by Vagbhata, has been kept alive by the Vaidyars (Ayurvedic practitioners). You will find the widest variety of treatments, including Panchkarma, oil treatments, and Kashaya (herbal infusion therapies), along with massages. Miraculous cures have been attributed to these learned and proficient Vaidyars, including the curing of paralysis and cancer. The Government of Kerala’s Tourism Department grades Ayurvedic resorts as Green Leaf or Olive Leaf, depending on whether they offer 5-star or 3-star facilities. Kerala Tourism also offers Age Halt Ayurvedic packages at many of its resorts.
There are both public and private-run Ayurvedic clinics and hospitals offering a variety of treatments at affordable costs. These centers are located in major and mid-tier cities but do not publicize their services. Some of these centers are attached to Ayurvedic colleges that offer both short-term and long-term courses, teaching the Ayurvedic way of life and everything from basic principles to advanced techniques. Most foreigners and well-to-do Indians head to well-known and publicized resorts and spas. However, if you’re looking for affordable Ayurvedic treatments, consider government and charitable trust-run Ayurvedic centers. You get the same treatments but at a much lower cost. For example, The Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences in Thiruvananthapuram is a government-run Ayurvedic center. In Punjab, you have the Guru Nanak Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital in Muktsar.
Mentioning Ayurveda in modern India would be incomplete without mentioning Baba Ramdev and his Patanjali Yogpeeth in Haridwar. The center has a full-fledged yoga center, research facilities, an Ayurvedic hospital, and an Ayurvedic college offering the entire gamut of holistic treatments and training.
You will also find Ashrams in India that offer varying levels of Ayurvedic treatments. Stays here are inexpensive, and so is the treatment, as profit is not the main motive. One such well-known Ashram is the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram at Neyyar Dam near Trivandrum, and another is the Nisargopchar Gramsudhar Trust in Uruli Kanchan, Pune, which offers a range of Ayurvedic treatments. If you want to live like a Sannyasi, follow their holistic lifestyle, and receive Ayurvedic treatments the traditional way, without the fancy trappings, Ashrams are the way to go.
To sum it up, if you want luxurious Ayurvedic treatments in modern settings, Ayurvedic resorts and spas have sprung up all over the country. If you’re looking for low-cost Ayurvedic treatments, it takes time and effort to find government and charitable trust-run institutions that offer the same treatments. If you wish to live a simple life while undergoing Ayurvedic treatments, head for the well-known and lesser-known Ashrams.