Puri, the new yoga and ayurveda capital for foreign tourists

Puri, Feb.22 : The temple built in honour of Lord Jagannath is one of the major attractions of the coastal town of Puri in Orissa.

But now, tourists are making their way to Puri for ancient health cure treatments provided through Yoga and Ayurveda.

Yoga and Ayurveda centers are mushrooming along Puri's beaches, and foreign tourists suffering from ailments like arthritis, psoriasis and insomnia visit these health centres.

Among the therapies given here, Jaldhara (dripping of medicated decoction and oil on head) and acupressure massages are a favourite among foreigners. They find these two exceptionally useful for problems like arthritis, psoriasis and insomnia.

"I can compare their treatments with others as I am myself an Ayurvedic massage therapist. These treatments are especially nice because this is a kind of yoga that is a kind of treatment of the problem of body. I also like that they give very professional treatments. They also provide advice about various exercises. My problem improved a lot in very short time," said Daniel Poul, a Maldivian.

Professionally trained masseurs lend their expertise in rendering various therapies at the various spa centres opened here.

Ailments like back pain and orthopaedic discomfort are on the priority list of these magic healers who with their expertise wipe out the aches.

"I had some problems with my back. I practiced yoga at beach here. I feel good. Earlier, I had never practiced this. I first started practicing it here. It is different. I saw affects in four to five days. We get acupressure every evening and yoga every morning," said Dorich, another Maldivian.

Madhusudan Ray, who had set up a therapy centre 25 years ago, is today the owner of the one of the most successful healing centres in Puri.

"Yoga warms up both the internal and outer body. With acupressure, the organs get sufficient energy. They work properly and hormones remain in a balanced state. The body remains fit. The body's 16 energy points stay in perfect place. With the sound distribution of energy, ailments from a body disappear," said Madhusudan Ray, the Yoga and Ayurveda expert.

ANI