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Princess Gouri in her sixth talk with Zuzana Zwiebel explains, why she believes, that there are things, which we really do not understand.
There are things, which we really do not understand - what is up there, what is out there. People, who do research in astronomy, they find something new every day. All these things definitely have an influence on human body.
There are people, who have to consult astrologer for everything. For example, I am going to talk to Zuzana, so I ask astrologer: “Is a good time? Can I talk to her?” I do not do that sort of things. But for instance if we are going to have a wedding in the family or we are going to start building, then we check an auspicious time. We look at the good time to lay the foundation stone. That we do!
THE TRAVANCORE ROYAL FAMILY is the ruling house of the Indian princely state of Travancore. The family lost the ruling rights in 1949 when Travancore Kingdom merged with the Indian Union and their privileges were abolished by a constitutional amendment in 1971. The Travancore Royalty could be also considered descendants of the ancient Cheras, Ay-Venad, Pandya and Chola dynasties, due to consistent intermarriages with these lines over the centuries. The Travancore royals are among the rare breed of royals who follow the matrilineal system.The members of the family are based in Trivandrum, Kerala and are the ones who keep alive the traditions and rituals of their ancient dynasty including the upkeep of the famous Sree Padmanabhaswami Temple. Read more >>
Personal chard is made, when the child is born. Now they have this computer astrology, but when I was born, it was all handwritten. It is all the matter of calculation, very precised mathematics, little bit of intuition and lot of mathematics. So if you go wrong - just a little bit - all chart can go wrong.
It is a science! Basically Math and calculation – so the human error…
We did not have astrologers in the family. We might have had few those, who practiced astrology for hobby. But we had one western allopathic physician in the family and that was the brother of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal. He used to practice in the Fort Hospital. He was kind of doctor assistant. He was listening and putting his input. There is a beautiful ivory skeleton in the Natural Museum in Trivandrum. He use it to study the bones. Those days it was not considered proper to touch actual human bones, so the ivory skeleton system was made for him to study.
It could very well be, that is why they have specific jewellery for each different dance. In Katakali, you have jewellery from neck to lap. For Mohiniyattam dance it is different, etc. So everything our ancient people did, they did with the purpose and with some knowledge. Somewhere along the line we have lost that knowledge. We should go looking for it.
I tell you one true story. It happened in Philadelphia. My friend told me: “Let’s get manicure and pedicure, it is my treat.” So we went to a saloon, but she had to leave for 20 minutes. Lady who made my pedicure, she was what they call 'White Russian' and she told me that in her country she were foot reflexologist and acupuncture pressurist. She asked, if she could practice on my foot. So I asked her: “Before we start, how much is it, because it was not part of the plan." She said, nothing, she would do it for free. She wanted to keep in touch in the future. So I was going to be sort of guinea pig or a practice run for her. I said: “Go ahead!”
She pressed the soles of my feet and suddenly she asked: ”You felt something, did not you?” I did, but I did not tell her. I said: “Yes, but you tell me, where I felt it”. She replied I felt it in my head. It was quite right! She told me, I had a tendency for migraines and she was absolutely right. Spot on. She discovered, that I have migraines only by pressing the soles of my feet. She advised me: “Because you let me to practice on you I’ll give you a little tip. If you have an ordinary headache just rub gently between your big toe and second toe - just rub gently and headache will go away!”
Traditional forms of medicine, health and beauty treatments; it is an old knowledge, which in the past people practiced on the regular bases. For example, Katakali make-up it is very heavy make-up, but you can clean it off with coconut oil. For each different kind of substance you use on yourself, there is the different thing to clean it off with. There is a special meaning for it, not only use this, use that. But last years all these traditional forms became 'less fashionable', because it is much easier to buy a tube of cream and rub it on you. Anyway, I do not think it would help you much. Specially all these advertisements for 'youth serums', which are promising, that you become 20 years younger.
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Read next chapter of THE TALK WITH PRINCESS GOURI Nº7
The Travancore Kingdom Royalty are considered the descendants of the Gods and ancient Cheras, Venad, Pandya and Chola dynasties, who brought the philosophy of ayurveda to the world.
Founder & Director of Ayurveda Trails, healing collection of (extra)ordinary people and their stories, whose experiences are transferred into various trails shared by travelers.
He asks, why is all the rum gone. He is searching the stillness in the flow of the water and finding out, that there is no dark side of the moon really. Matter of fact it's all dark!
He calls himself The Lone-traveller. In section about him is written: Don’t have a clue yet. He silently stalks Kochi Muziris Biennale artists and transform their visions into photographs.
VISHU FESTIVAL
NEW YEAR IN KERALA
The Malayalam word kani literally means that which is seen first. The traditional belief is that one's future is a function of what one experiences, that the New Year will be better if one views auspicious joyful things as the first thing on Vishu.
10 REASONS WHY AYURVEDA TRAILS ARE DIFFERENT
Ayurveda trails is using the symbol of mudra as reminder, healing is in your hands. We are creating a small collection of highly specialised ayurveda resorts run by passionate ayurveda experts, who want to keep authentic healing knowledge for modern world.
What is ayurveda? How is this ancient medical system connected with yoga, meditation, healthy food, relaxation in nature and modern life style? Ayurveda Trails is dedicated to everyone, who would like to travel and search answers to these questions.
NAVARATRI
Festival of Nine Goddesses
Navaratri is a nine night festival that honors the Mother Goddess in all her manifestations. The worship, accompanied by fasting, takes place in the mornings. Evenings are for feasting and dancing. Each day has a different ritual associated with it.
ONAM
The Harvest Festival in Kerala
Onam is the most popular festival in Kerala. It can be traced to the primitive harvest festival and also to the myth regarding King Mahabali - the benevolent asura ruler who brought peace and prosperity to his country. It is celebrated in August and September.
The importance of the feast to the Kerala's Onam celebration culture is captured in the famous Malayalam proverb: Kaanam Vittum Onam Unnanam - which means: One must have the Onam lunch even by selling one's property, if need be.
MANALTHEERAM AYURVEDA BEACH VILLAGE
Manaltheeram Ayurveda Beach Village, gives you an opportunity to pamper yourself with a heavenly experience. Enter the world of holistic healing and let Ayurveda and meditation restore your physical, mental, spiritual and emotional equilibrium.
MANALTHEERAM
Dr. Hemalatha Manoj
In Manaltheeram, we believe, that Ayurveda is a divine science of life, our hands should be pure to treat a patient. Sometimes we are not able to cure every one but it is important not to make any mistakes from our hands. We pray to God.
Somatheeram, the world’s first Ayurveda hospital set in a resort ambiance to provide Ayurveda healing and treatments programmes. With its exotic tropical beauty and tranquil hospitality, this getaway is the perfect place for relaxation and rejuvenation.
The World’s First Ayurveda Tourist Resort: Baby Mathew, in 1985 together with his brother Dr.Pauly Mathew, has founded the world’s first ayurveda tourist resort Somatheeram in Kerala. How has this journey started?
Cliff View Ayurveda Retreat is built in the Bauhaus style, which aims to reunite fine art and functional design, creating practical objects with the soul of artworks. The resort embrace the philosophy of traditional Ayurveda in modern style.
HARIVIHAR HERITAGE
Dr. Sri Kumar
Harivihar, abode of the divine, is a 170 year old painstakingly restored royal heritage homestead located in Calicut. It offers unparalleled experience of staying in a heritage ambience and benefit from the goodness of Ayurveda and Yoga, two great contributions of India to mankind.
I hesitated for publishing this story quite late, but there’s a beauty in rewinding. Makes me appreciate how all those days have become of me. The clever fall of dominoes of life events that led me to still standing. A very happy new year to all!
SwaSwara means your inner voice, this is a place of natural harmony to release, refocus and recalibrate the self. Inspired by the first sound of creation, the resort in Gokarana on Aum Beach is a perfect setting to enable one to hear the voice of the inner self.
Green gram is a powerhouse of nutrition. It has high nutritive value and can be consumed by anyone for improving health. Hence, this superfood is one of the most vital detoxifying agent as well as an energiser that helps to enhance the immunity of the body.
KAIRALI - THE AYURVEDIC HEALING VILLAGE
There is no better place to get inside nature and rejuvenate with natural medicine than the sweet scented forests of Kerala's Pala trees. Time spent at this jungle paradise will allow you to experience the authentic healing practices of India.
