Urlikanchan is a sleepy little village near Pune, Maharashtra. Yet, every year, it receives thousands of visitors, for many of whom it is an annual pilgrimage. For here stands the Nisargopachar Ashram, a nature cure institute that was inaugurated in 1946 by none other than Mahatma Gandhi, Manibhai Desai and Balkobha Bhave.
Today, the 67-year-old 200-bed heal hub is a pioneer in the field of naturopathy, which is one of the traditional systems of alternative medicines that has existed in India for centuries. Mahatma Gandhi preferred this system of medicine because it seemed the most suited for the treatment of the underpriveleged. Today, his ideals are followed here by making available affordable treatments such as massages, water therapies and mud baths for various and ailments.
According to Dr Ravindra V Nisal, Director of Nisargopachar Ashram, people have become aware about the changing scenario regarding health-related problems in India. The aim of the ashram is to provide simple treatments which patients can follow at home. He asserts that by using simple treatments, patients have observed positive results in their health.
A normal day at this serene and verdant ashram starts with prayer and yoga sessions. Five sessions of yoga for different categories of patients are arranged. Separate session is conducted for specific diseases like hypertension, arthritis and musculoskeletal disorders. Proper posture, proper breathing and introductory session of pranayam are conducted in the afternoon.
Patients are expected to follow a natural diet, yoga, exercise and treatment to get the best results. Massages, hydrotherapy and physiotherapy are provided as supportive treatment alongside. The treatment schedule is based on the Indian lifestyle. Only vegetarian, non-stimulating food is served through the community kitchen. As food represents five natural elements, character of the food is utilised to correct the imbalance in the human body. Patients undergo various treatments based on the five food elements. Raw vegetable diet and fruits are given in case of hypertension, diabetes, obesity etc. Mono diet consisting of grapes/ sweet lime/ coconut water is given in certain chronic diseases. Prescriptions are given depending upon the condition of the patient, disease, season and individual compliance.
The ashram has its own way to reach out to the community. Many patients convinced with the result of drugless approach convey the benefits of naturopathy to their relatives and friends. As a result, it has seen a huge increase in patients over the last few years. Some have made it a habit of coming once a year as a part of their yearly rejuvenating plan.
According to Nisal, naturopathy and ayurveda are totally different concepts. In naturopathy, a single herb can be used, but nature cure does not advocate any medicine. There is a concept of self-reliance. The person is not dependent on drug. Although Nisal is a graduate of ayurveda and modern medicine, he has been able to study and experience the miracles of naturopathy. He adds that the treatments also depend upon the type of disease, duration, age and gender. The main aim of all the existing therapies is to educate the community about the natural way of living, right combination of food, exercise, right posture, friendship and fraternity, yoga and meditation. These discourses are regularly conducted at the centre, for the benefit of the public. To date, it has conducted more than 70 camps for various categories. The ashram has trained more than 600 traditional healers from rural and tribal areas of Maharashtra and Gujarat. At 200 places trained healers offer treatment under the banner of Chrak Vanoushdhji Evam Kudrati Upchar Kendra. The centres offer 50 per cent subsidised treatment for rural people. Poor patients are treated through the Poor Patients Fund.
“We can only assist the healing process, by supplying a healthy environment to stimulate and enhance healing power of nature and by removing obstructive elements,” signs off Nisal.