Where tourism, medicine go together

Vaidyaratnam Ayurveda Museum, the first of its kind in the country, is fast emerging as a fascinating destination for a diverse spectrum of patrons.

If the visitor turnout is any indication, the museum — which started functioning in December 2013 at Thaikkattussery, near Ollur in Thrissur — has been drawing vast crowds comprising foreign and domestic tourists.

Even several ayurvedic colleges, both in Kerala and outside, have included the museum visit as part of their study programme.

Audiovisual tour

An audiovisual tour offers a glimpse of the age old history and evolution of this ancient form of medicine, including artefacts, sculptures, scriptures and pictures.

“Researchers and students looking to discover and learn the origin and evolution of ayurveda will find the museum a veritable treasure trove. Along with imparting wisdom about India’s ancient medical science, the museum aims to convey the message — health through ayurveda — to the new generation,” said ET Parameswaran Mooss, Director.

The original Nalukettu, the traditional mansion with authentic Kerala architectural flourishes, where the Vaidyaratnam Oushadhasala started off in 1941, is preserved and named “Acharya Griham” in honour of the founder, he said.

A digital library features a CD collection based on ayurveda and “NadyaGriham” — a projector conference hall for audiovisual presentations. A 3D gallery displays the developments in the manufacture of ayurvedic medicines and treatment techniques that evolved over the ages. It was established in remembrance of founder Ashtavaidyan ET Neelakandan Moos at an investment of ₹2 crore.

Medicinal garden

The medicinal garden in the premises has a wide variety of rare and nearly extinct species of medicinal herbs.

The Vaidyaratnam Group has medicine manufacturing units in Kerala and one in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu. It plans to open new branches at Gujarat and Kolkata.

Efforts are on to achieve a ₹100-crore turnover this year from the medicine market alone, said ET Neelakandan Mooss, another Director.

(The writer visited the museum at the invitation of the Vaidyaratnam Group.)