KOCHI: There’s no denying Ayurveda’s magnetic draw which is almost synonymous with Kerala Tourism. It is due to the unique goodness and health benefits of Ayurveda, Vaidyaratnam Ayurveda Museum continues to attract many visitors. Situated at Thaikkattussery, near Ollur in Thrissur, the Museum with ancient architectural styles coupled with modern technology continues to fascinate all with its presentation of Ayurveda even to laymen.
Established in the memory of Vaidyaratnam Oushadhashala founder Ashtavaidyan E T Neelakandan Mooss, the museum was opened on December 27, 2013. The first of its kind in India, the museum aims to propagate comprehensive knowledge about Ayurveda to general public. “The Ayurveda Museum has turned out to be a visitor magnet at Thrissur. Foreign tourists, tour groups, study tour groups, and even families throng the Museum.
Researchers and students looking to discover and learn the origin and evolution of Ayurveda will find the Vaidyaratnam Ayurveda Museum a veritable treasure trove. Along with imparting wisdom about India’s own ancient medical science, the Museum also aims to convey the message, ‘Health through Ayurveda’ to the new generation,” says E T Parameswaran Mooss, director of the Museum.
The museum has three sections. A digital library with a big CD collection based on Ayurveda and a Projector Conference Hall called ‘Nadyagriham’ for audiovisual shows and presentations on Ayurveda. The second section of the museum showcases the evolution of Ayurveda and its treatment repertoire.
A 3D gallery displays the developments in the manufacturing of Ayurvedic medicines and treatment techniques evolved over the ages. The medicinal garden on the museum premises has a wide variety of rare and nearly extinct species of medicinal herbs and are preserved and nourished to keep the pivotal area of having authentic medicines intact. Vaidyaratnam has medicine manufacturing units at Thaikkattussery and Chuvannamannu.
“As part of expanding the marketing network, we have plans to open new branches at Gujarat and Kolkata. Since Kerala’s authentic ayurveda is increasingly preferred everywhere, apart from the Ayurveda Hospital at Thaikkattussery, Vaidyaratnam has established treatment centres at Koramangala and Indira Nagar, Bangalore, and at Chembur, Mumbai. Nourishing and cultivating medicinal plants are also undertaken by Vaidyaratnam in association with social organisations,” says company director E T Neelakandan Mooss, while detailing future plans of the company.
