Meditation in Rajasthan

In a society that was as well formulated as that of Rajasthan, it was expected that there would be systems of both healing as well as preventive cures, and ways of aiding longevity. The royal palaces had workshops attached where such practices of healing were taught, based not only on the traditional systems that had been in prevalence in the country for centuries, but in combination with new systems gained from interaction with parts of West Asia. There were also ashrams where vaids, hakims and yoga instructors advised people on the benefits of these sciences to train people in their kingdoms on their benefits, so that their prevalence became more widespread.

These scientific methods of cure and prevention are well documented in the ancient Indian texts, and are based on mental and physical exercises, assisted with natural herbs used in special formulations. Unfortunately, under the British regime, these healthy practices were logged with faith healing and spirit healing, associated with certain practices in villages, and as such were mistaken for quackery. As a result, their popularity dwindled, and was soon replaced by the allopathic system of medicines. Though the traditional systems of what are now referred to as alternative healing and medicinal practices lost their pre-eminence, the science not only survived but continued to be is use, at least among a smaller group that believed in its efficacy.

Even though there is nothing about them that is linked only with Rajasthan, these practices have once again been revived, and are enjoying renewed popularity. This has to do with several reasons: it enjoins the practice of meditation and yoga which are the buzzwords of GenX, and so have a youthful appeal. Also, in a world waking up too late to the horrors of antibiotic medicines, these natural systems offer no fear of side-effects. The Rajasthani way of life is certainly free from many of the stresses suffered by people in urban centres around the world, because it is closely linked with families and communities, who in turn provide the avenues for relaxation that are so important to the human mind. Since communities have always encouraged interdepdence, burdens and responsibilities are also split up, therby guaranteeing a healthier approach to lifestyles. While nature cure looks at the benefits that a healthy way of living and cosumption patterns can provide, and holds out the most balanced approach to life, there are systems of healing too such as ayurveda, homeopathy and unani, along with a mix of massage and yoga, that can show the way to a healthier life.

Fortunately, most of these centres where such guidance and help is available are located in Rajasthan’s historic cities, and many of them, in fact, are in Jaipur, so the visitor who wishes to seek a cure for himself can also combine it with sightseeing and the relaxation of a holiday. Should a visitor choose to avail of the benefits of these systems, it may be necessary to check into an institute, while in other cases it is possible to stay in your hotel and come in for a daily prognosis. In the case of chronic ailment, an idea is to show yourself at an institute, go under observation, and start the cure. You can then proceed on a tour of the state, while taking the recommended exercises and herbal treatments, coming back to the institute once more so that you can combine a holiday with a cure or even complete rejuvenation. What follows is a list of the various practices of healing, cure and preventive cure that you can expect from institutes in Rajasthan. Any of these would be happy to advise you on a system of cure, and the likely period, ideally suited to your individual needs.

MEDITATION CENTRES IN RAJASTHAN

Government Yogic Treatment Cum Research Centre
Rare because it is the only government-supported yoga centre in India, the institute was established in 1961. Even since, it has found yoga-based remedies for ailments such as asthma, diabetes. No medicines are used in the treatment, with yoga being the only method of finding relief from chronic problems. Naturopaths work in a fully-equipped laboratory, and treatment for its patients who reside on the premises is free, as is the board and lodging.

National Institute of Ayurveda

Established as an ayurvedic college in 1946 by the former rulers of Jaipur, it has since been upgraded, and its impressive complex on Amber Road houses thirteen departments of medicine and an attached hospital. It has a fine collection of medicinal plants, and its own pharmacy where herbal and vegetable drugs are manufactured.

SPG Kayakalp Centre

Located in Lakshmangarh in Shekhawati’s Sikar district, this modern facility of traditional sciences aims to fill the gap in healing the human mind, body and spirit. With restoration rather than merely defensive cure its aim, the centre offers three and seven day rejuvenation packages. Facilities include mud therapy, colon therapy, herbal oil therapy, local steam therapy, spinal baths and the like. Visitors are also initiated in yoga and meditation. Along with modern communication facilities, the centre also offers a swimming pool, dairy, gymnasium and a pathological laboratory on its premises.

Nature Cure Centre

Colloquially called Prakritik Chikitsalaya, this nature cure institute has been a pioneer in the field since five decades. A health farm, it uses the five elements in its treatment with fasting, sun bathing, mud baths, wet sheet packs, steam baths, and water therapy to offer remedies for arthritis, acidity, asthma and other respiratory ailments, bronchitis, colitis, diabetes, heart problems, obesity, jaundica, and lumber spondylitis. Set in a garden compels, and with separate wards for men and women, it also has a juice centre, dairy farm, acupressure pathway and physiotherapy centre within its three acre premises.

Navneet Prakritik Yoga Chikitsa Dham

Located outside Jaipur, this yoga and naturopathy centre is a modern complex where sadhaks (promotives) rather thana patients are provided hope in the treatment of very large number of diseases and disorders. No medication is offered, and with gentle exercises, clean living, and natural fools, cures are found to the debilitating ailments from which people suffer.

Rajasthan Swasthya Yoga Parishad

Yoga consists of breathing and physical exercises, and the proper manner in which these are performed can lead to amazing results in people, curing them of ailments and increasing the longevity of their lives. The organisation here is a training centre in yoga, and has as many as ten other centres in Jaipur alone, with more outside the city.

Vipassana Dhammathali Centre For Meditation

One of the branches of the institute in Maharashtra, this beautiful centre disburses training in the ancient technique of vipassana maditation as practiced two-and-a-half-thousand years ago by Gautam Buddha. The complex has a distinctive Buddhist look, and there is a central meditation hall for one-hundred-and-fifty people as well as one-hundred-and-sixty cells. Meditation courses at the complex last ten days for beginners, and longer ones of twenty, thirty and forty-five days duration for the more experienced. There are also refresher courses for old students of one, three and ten days.

Yoga Sadhana Ashram

A prominent yoga centre, started in 1969, the ashram nestles in a serene environment, and besides regular classes in the morning and evening, also has courses lasting three months to a year. Besides yoga, it also undertakes the yogic treatment of cardiac problems, psychic disorders, blood pressure complaints, and spondylitis.

Other Institutes In Jaipur

Besides these, there are a number of other centers in Jaipur that are associated with natural or alternative forms of medicine. These include the Todermal Homeopathic and Acupressure Chikitsalaya for acupressure and naturopathy; and the Yoga Acupressure Magnetic Chikitsa Paramarsh Kendra for acupressure healing.

Desert Healing

Other than in Jaipur, there are similar institutes spread all over Rajasthan, a few prominent ones of which are listed below.

Shri Mahavirji Sansthan

The township of Shri Mahavirji in Sawai Madhopur district boasts a Jain temple where the management committee runs a health service centre in an adjoining building with naturopaths attending to patients in peaceful wards. Known for its mud therapies, the centre also helps to seek remedies for diabetes, and disorders relating to the respiratory and digestive systems.

Other Centres In Rajasthan

Some of the other places where visitors in Rajasthan can seek health and fitness cures are the following: Yoga Sadhana Kendra in Sikar for treating polio; Parmahansa Yoga Sadhana Ashram in Sawai Madhopur for yoga; Nature Cure Centre for naturopathy in Alwar; Yoga and Nature Cure Centre in Churu’s Ladnu village for naturopathy; Acupressure Health Care System in Jodhpur for acupressure and naturopathy; Prakritik Chikitsalaya in Kota for naturopathy; and Arogya Dham in Bharatpur for yoga and naturopathy.

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