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It's a journey back in time through vintage Travancore, experiencing the glorious ethos and cultural moorings of Heritage Travancore. Travancore Heritage, the glistening brand new heritage property of 15 acres built with recreated palaces and 'nalukettus' of vintage Kerala is situated on the pristine beach front of Chowara, south of Kovalam, near Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
The Travancore Heritage is a sea side resort in 15 acres of lush green coconut garden and landscaped environs located at Chowara, south of Kovalam, near Trivandrum, Kerala. The resort stands on a high cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea and a long wide beach of powdery white sand. The Travancore Heritage is conceived and developed as a Heritage Property to bring to life the age-old traditional architectural splendor of the region with its typical timber houses and 'Nalukettus' with tiled roofing, which allow for living in communion with all the elements of Nature Travancore Heritage.
The Travancore Heritage was founded by Mr. Chacko Paul 15 years ago, with a simple vision to build a place where Kerala can be experienced in its complete form. The heritage property in itself is a chapter off the pages of history. The reception building is the revered Chennithala Palace which was the residing place of the Maharaja of Cochin. This was a traditional ettukettu (traditional Kerala homes having eight halls with two central courtyards). This palatial structure was deconstructed, transported to this location and was reconstructed in the present location as the property's reception and lobby building. Some of the cottages are almost 150 years old family houses.
All the treatments take place under the supervision of senior doctor Dr.Binod Sydney and other 4 qualified doctors and around 30 therapists, who strictly follows traditional methods and values. According to Dr.Binod Sydney, ayurveda is a lifestyle. He states: "I don’t look at it as a treatment. It’s a treatment for the body through lifestyle. It includes all forms of medical treatments, yoga, meditation and many other practices, because whatever we are doing in life, everything is related to our bodies. Whatever can positively influence our body, mind and soul, it is ayurveda."
Anandam as a brand name is most appropriate for the ayurveda centre at the Travancore Heritage. Anandham, the word in Sanskrit, means a combination of euphoria and extreme bliss. Anandabhairavi, a music raga has the ability to cure illness.
Part of therapy involves actual treatment, while the other consists of lifestyle changes. According to ayurveda principle, the human being has three dimensions – the body, mind and soul. These three dimensions are set in an individualized pattern based on the predominant dosha (Prakriti). An imbalance in any one of these dimensions leads to ill being (Vikruti). It is only after a detailed consultation that the physician determines the cause of this imbalance, using ancient techniques of observation (darshana), feeling (sparsana) and interrogation (prasna). After the consultation, the patient is given a detailed description of what might have to undergo over the next few days.
Every The Travancore Heritage ayurveda programme includes yoga lessons in different levels according to patient’s need. Yoga is supplementing ayurveda treatments. It is believed, it is very important to balance body treatment with the peace of the mind, because the most of the patients have stress-related psychosomatic diseases. Yoga can be very helpful for body pain problems, but not only physical problems must be treated, but also mental conditions. Yoga and meditation sessions are integral part of ayurveda holistic treatment. They are conducted every morning, but guests can take also private lessons and learn how to balance their doshas through the yoga asanas.
After the first consultation with ayurveda doctor, patients get the diet plan suitable for their doshas. It depends on their health conditions and treatment programme. The ayurveda diet is pure vegetarian. It is based on local recipes, but we try to serve organic vegetables and fruits. Breakfast is served in the main restaurant, but lunch and dinner in separate ayurveda restaurant. There is a buffet, divided according the doshas into three categories – vata, pita, and kapha, but for every patient, the food is cooked separately or they can take some food from buffet after the consultation with doctor. Between the main meals fruit juices and ayurvedic herbal water are served.
"Stay at The Travancore Heritage is kind of a journey back in time through vintage Travancore cultural and architectural glory". It is true, but what has been tried to recreate was not only external environment inspired by traditional architecture, but also offer authentic ayurvedic practices, which are still valid in modern life. The houses represent authentic, traditional Kerala architecture, which allows communion with all the elements of nature. The courtyard within the 'Nalukettu' in its centre, around which the four wings of the house were built in timber, bring in the air, sunlight and the rain water right into the house making the inhabitants live in tune with nature and also reflecting principles of vastu shastra and ayurveda itself.
The Travancore Heritage is situated in south tip of Kerala, only 30 minutes from Trivandrum airport. Transfer from and to the airport is already included into the ayurveda treatment programme.
Trivandrum area reflects the beauty of the entire Kerala called as well as God's own country. In this district all natural beauties such as hill stations, back waters, beaches, lagoons, and wild life sanctuaries are present. Before or at the end of your stay short trips can be arraged on request. During the ayurveda treatment programme travelling is not recommended.
Founder & Director of Ayurveda Trails, healing collection of (extra)ordinary people and their stories, whose experiences are transferred into various trails shared by travelers.