Kerala Kottakal

Location : Kottakkal in Malappuram district of Kerala
Founded By : Vaidyaratnam P. S. Varier
Famous For : Ayurvedic Healing and Counselling
Best Time To Visit : June to September

Kottakal is well known for the kottakal Ayurveda sala. It can be said almost without doubt that Ayurveda owes its present status to Vaidya Ratnam PS Varrier of Kottakkal, in Malappuram district of northern Kerala. In 1902 it took him much intensive study - of both Ayurveda and Allopathy, a lot of courage and persistence and a great deal of faith, to take the first step to revive a science that was jostled almost into non existence. Allopathic medicines had been brought in by the Europeans to India. Ayurveda practitioners were few and Ayurvedic medicines difficult to prepare. The situation was grim for the common man.

An experiment that proved to be a boon

P.S. Varrier made arrangements, to organise treatment under the Ayurvedic system and prepare and supply medicines on modern times by strictly following the ancient Ayurveda texts. The Ayurveda Pata Sala (School for Ayurveda) was set up in 1917 and the Ayurveda chikitsasala (Hospital) in 1924.

More branches were to be opened across Kerala. And P.S. Varrier was honoured with the Vaidya Ratnam (gem among physicians) in 1933. Thanks to his efforts, Kerala has become the home of the ancient science of health and longevity.

Kottakkal Pooram is the annual festival at the Sree Vishwambara Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his incarnation as Dhanvanthiri. Dhanvanthiri, in Indian mythology, is the patron god of medicine and health. During the festival, masters of music, art, culture and literature from all over the country participate in the cultural mela organised by the P.S.Warrier Trust. The Trust is run by the renowned Ayurvedic reasearch, treatment and study centre Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala .

How to reach

Air : Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode, about 36 km from Malappuram town..
Rail : Tirur, about 16 km from Kottakkal.
RoadThere are frequent bus services from nearby towns like Kozhikode, Malappuram (about 11 km), Tirur , Kottakkal