Escaping to God's Own Country at Kerala's Veda5 Ayurveda Living Village - Insights From Dr. Nishanth

1. Intro [0:09 - 1:47]

Ananya: Hi, I’m Ananya. I’m a junior content manager with Trip101. Today, we’re meeting Dr. Nishant, who is joining us from Kerala, India. And he is at a property called Veda5 Ayurveda Living Village. So today, we’re going to learn all about this series under our Fabulous Stays. So, let’s begin. Dr. Nishant, we’d like to hear from you. Please tell us about yourself and the property that you’re running.

Dr. Nishanth: Thank you for introducing me. Myself, Dr. Nishant. I’m from Kerala. Our property is known as Veda5 Ayurveda Living Village, which is a franchise or branch of Veda5 Wellness Privately Limited.

And we have three centers—one is in Delhi, one is in Kerala, and the third one is in Goa. So, I’m in charge of the Kerala property. In Kerala, it is located on a beachside in the district of Thrissur. And ours is a property with 16 rooms, out of which six rooms are sea-facing. There are six premium rooms, and the rest are deluxe rooms and some cottages also.

So, it’s a blend of these three categories. And ours is a beachside property, and it’s very calm, peaceful, and there are no hassles. It’s a very private beach, we can say—a beach that is maintained very well. Our season is from August till March, and the most crowded season is till March. Then we have low seasons, we can say.

And the bookings are more in this season, and we have 33 staff here. So, all are well, we can say, well-experienced, and ours is a well-occupied, well-facilitated center.

2. Dr. Nishanth's experience [1:47 - 2:04]

Ananya: How long have you been with Ayurveda in the village?

Dr. Nishanth: This is my seventh year working here.

Ananya: Oh, wow, that’s a long time.

Dr. Nishanth: So, most of our clients are from outside India, from abroad, and we have domestic clients also.

3. About the property & packages available [2:04 - 2:46]

Ananya: Okay, so how long has the property been in operation? How old is the property itself?

Dr. Nishanth: It’s seven years old.

Ananya: Oh, you’ve been there since the beginning?

Dr. Nishanth: Since the beginning, yes. And we have Ayurveda and naturopathy also. There’s a naturopathy doctor, there are three Ayurvedic doctors and one naturopathy doctor, and we have four therapy rooms. We perform all the Ayurvedic Panchakarma treatments here, and we have different kinds of packages.

One is the Panchakarma package, which includes all the Ayurvedic treatments, and it requires a minimum stay of 12 to 14 days. There are short-term packages also. And if you want to stay just for a luxury stay, that option is also available.

4. General travelers [2:46 - 3:44]

Ananya: Okay, so guests visiting your property—are they mostly coming with the intention of getting Ayurvedic and naturopathy treatments, or can people who are just generally interested in visiting Thrissur also stay with you?

Dr. Nishanth: Yes, those who are coming just for a stay, just to enjoy the beach, they can also be here, they can also visit here. And we have different packages where we can take them outside for sightseeing, like a boat trip, backwaters, temple visits, and nearby sightseeing options are also available.

Ananya: Okay, so even though you call yourself an Ayurvedic, living Ayurvedic village, it’s still suitable for general travelers also, those who are not really looking for treatment specifically?

Dr. Nishanth: Yes, yes.

Ananya: Okay.

Dr. Nishanth: And if you’re coming in case of any health issues, we have treatments. We have other organic, spa therapies also that you can opt for.

5. Treatments available [3:44 - 5:58]

Ananya: Okay, so can you tell us a little bit more about the treatments that you have available? You already mentioned naturopathy in addition to Ayurvedic treatments. So generally, what are the treatments that most guests go after? Which are the most popular ones?

Dr. Nishanth: The main highlight here, I can say, is the leg massage; we call it a “Kalarimassage.” So, people can experience this—it’s available only in Kerala, I think. It’s a rare practice not available in many other retreats, but we have trained therapists for that. The therapist has to be a martial arts performer, and with that flexibility, he can do that massage with his legs.

It’s like he’s catching a rope, balancing with his legs, and performing the technique. So, it’s a very effective therapy—that is the main highlight here. Apart from that, we have different other treatments, like all the Panchakarmas explained in Ayurveda, such as the body treatments, pain-relieving treatments, and if you have any neurological issues, that is also treated here. So, we can say this is a treatment-oriented center. Plus, if you are coming just for a stay, we have different kinds of rooms you can enjoy. There are sea-facing rooms, and the beach is very shallow, so everybody can go in—not in the monsoon season, but the other 11 months are suitable for swimming and everything.

So, people come here for both treatments and spa therapies. We have all the spa therapies mentioned, like Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, organic facials, and different kinds of spa therapies. For naturopathy, we have treatments like acupuncture and acupressure.

Apart from treatments, we also have informative activities, like kitchen sessions. If you want to learn some recipes to try in your kitchen, our kitchen staff conducts these sessions. There are Ayurvedic talks and naturopathy talks as well, so you can leave with a bit of information on all of these.

Ananya: Okay, so it’s like a space where you can come for rejuvenation, focusing on your health, while enjoying the beautiful surroundings in Kerala because you’re right next to the beach.

Dr. Nishanth: Yes.

6. Other facilities [5:58 - 6:47]

Ananya: It sounds pretty great. For someone who’s looking to rejuvenate and build up their health, it sounds like a nice spot to visit and replenish their physical body as well as mental well-being.

Dr. Nishanth: Definitely. So how we run this center is we are ready to serve you according to your needs. If you need some information about Ayurveda, if you want to go for a trip, or if you want to explore Kerala, we have all these facilities here. People can enjoy multiple benefits at our center, whether for health or for exploring different sites in Kerala. You get everything under one roof; that’s how we run the center.

Ananya: That’s pretty great.

7. Booking in advance [6:47 - 8:03]

Ananya: A short while ago, you were saying that between August to March are your busiest seasons, right?

Dr. Nishanth: Yes, and most of our clients are repeat clients who have been coming for almost five to six years.

Ananya: Okay, so August to March is when you get the most people, and then monsoon season, which is around June onwards, June-July, is when the sea is rough and there are fewer guests.

Dr. Nishanth: Yes, now it is monsoon season—June and July.

Ananya: Okay, so during your busy months, August to March, how early on do you get booked out? If a guest wants to plan their visit and book your property, how much in advance should they look at connecting with you or booking through the various platforms?

Dr. Nishanth: The bookings are typically done almost six months before. So we can say by January or February, the bookings are being made for the next season. For example, right now, September and October are almost fully booked. So, it would be better if they could book six months in advance or earlier for availability.

Ananya: Okay, so you get booked out quite a bit in advance. People need to plan their trip about six months ahead to make bookings.

8. Best time to visit [8:03 - 9:57]

Dr. Nishanth: Especially if you want to book during August to March, because the climate is a great factor. From August till March, it’s sunny but not too hot nor too cold, so everyone can enjoy it and enjoy the sea. The sea is also calm during these months.

Ananya: Yes, of course, and the weather plays a great factor in keeping your mood good during the treatments as well.

Dr. Nishanth: Yes, that’s why Kerala is known as “God’s Own Country,” because there’s no extreme cold or extreme heat. The climate is always moderate in Kerala, except during the monsoon. Another benefit of experiencing the treatments in Kerala is due to three factors. One is the availability of the medicines. Many of the medicines available here in Kerala are not available in other states, and we can use them at full efficacy because they’re prepared fresh. Even the oils we use are collected and prepared according to ancient Kerala texts.

The second factor is the climate—there’s no extreme cold or heat. And the third is the expertise of the therapists. Most of our therapists come from a family background of doing these therapies, so they have that element naturally within them. So, these three factors contribute to the benefit of visiting our center. In Ayurveda, there are treatments that shouldn’t be done in certain climates, while some treatments should be done in specific climates, so everything works out well here.

Ananya: Okay, yes, that makes sense that you would have to pay attention to the climate and location before giving certain treatments because many oils are very warming, and they shouldn’t be used under the wrong climatic conditions.

Dr. Nishanth: Yes.

9. Martial arts & other activities [9:57 - 11:16]

Dr. Nishanth: We have martial arts sessions and classical dance classes with teachers here, so everything is included in the daily activities. They start with yoga, then at eight o'clock is breakfast. Then we have Ayurvedic therapies, or you can attend some meditation. There are different yoga sessions—beginning, intermediate, and advanced—so people of any level can join a session here. And in the evening, there are other sessions like dance classes, Ayurvedic talks, kitchen sessions, classes about spices, and talks about daily healthy practices. So, you’ll be engaged the whole day.

Ananya: Also, apart from your stay and the activities that you’re doing to enjoy the location, there’s a lot of learning that can happen. You can immerse yourself in the culture, learn about the spices, the dances—there’s a lot to carry along. So, for those visiting from abroad, if they want to experience the local language, cuisine, and culture, it’s a pretty great way to do it at a property where you’re staying.

Dr. Nishanth: Exactly.

10. Sea-facing rooms [11:16 - 11:48]

Ananya: Earlier, you mentioned that there are 16 rooms, out of which six are facing the sea.

Dr. Nishanth: No, six are facing the sea, but two of those are rooms, and the other four are cottages facing the ocean. So, in total, it’s six.

Ananya: Okay, so the breakdown is two rooms and four cottages facing the sea. These must be the ones that tend to get booked out the earliest, right?

Dr. Nishanth: Yes, these rooms are very in demand. Yeah, very spacious too.

11. About the beach [11:48 - 13:53]

Ananya: Yeah, so earlier you were mentioning that there are 16 rooms, out of which six are facing the sea.

Dr. Nishanth: No, six are facing the sea, but two of those are rooms, and the other four are cottages facing the ocean. So, okay, in total, it’s six.

Ananya: Okay, so the breakdown is two rooms and four cottages facing the sea. These must be the ones that tend to get booked out the earliest, right?

Dr. Nishanth: Yes, these rooms are very in demand.

Ananya: Yeah, very spacious also. Okay, can you tell us a little bit more about the beach that you have? You mentioned that it is almost private, so are you the only property on that beach?

Dr. Nishanth: Exactly, that is another highlight of the property. In a span of, or we can say a distance of 10 kilometers on both sides, there are no other resorts, and that is a main benefit. People can enjoy the beach without other tourists coming here because of our property’s location. According to the government, a rule came after 2000 in Kerala that no new constructions can be made. The constructions which are already there can extend or continue working, but no other properties can be built. Luckily, we had our property before this rule came, so we can extend, and we are now extending the property. This is a main benefit; if you’re struggling with an urban lifestyle and you want to de-stress or unwind, the beach, yoga, and everything are very helpful. Since it’s a private beach, we can consider it a private beach because there is no interference from other people. Every day, we start with cleaning the beach, so we maintain it specifically for our clients.

Ananya: Ten kilometers on both sides is quite a huge expanse, like you’re pretty much alone facing the ocean. It’s the Indian Ocean, right, that you’re facing?

Dr. Nishanth: Yes, the Indian Ocean, and the villages are also very cooperative. They help us to clean the beach, and they feel much more secure being here.

Ananya: Okay, so it’s mostly just you and the local community that are staying there, which is mostly villagers.

Dr. Nishanth: Yes, and most of our staff are from these families. They are trained and working here in our center, so there’s a social support network.

Ananya: Oh, that’s pretty good.

Dr. Nishanth: I think that is the main reason people are repeatedly visiting our center—because of all these factors.

Ananya: Yeah, certainly, the touch from the local communities can definitely leave that kind of personal experience that one can have.

12. Beach activities [13:53 - 15:04]

Ananya: So, on the beach itself, what sort of activities can one do? I’m guessing it must be really quiet and serene.

Dr. Nishanth: Yes, we have different games we perform on the beach, like different kinds of games and activities. There’s beach yoga, which I believe is the favorite of most people. We perform yoga with the breeze from the beach, and the calmness and effect of yoga are enhanced, I think, by being on the beach. Mostly, people come here to experience the beach and sunbathe. You mentioned the color of the sand is brown—it’s a brown sandy beach. Yes, so it’s a brown sandy beach and shallow. Everybody can enjoy it, except during monsoon season, when they can’t swim in the ocean.

Ananya: Okay, that must be nice. You have a quiet beach for sunbathing or swimming. And then in the morning, doing yoga on the beach must be relaxing and rejuvenating.

13. Beach views [15:04 - 16:12]

Ananya: Relaxing, sort of, and rejuvenating also to activity to perform. And do you also have, like, good views from the beach, like a sunset or something that one can also…

Dr. Nishanth:Yes, most people enjoy the sunset. And there was a situation that we had to postpone some of the treatments because they really wanted to enjoy the sunset. So we have planned our activities, like the yoga and sessions, which will not affect the people who want to experience the sunset view.

Ananya: Yeah, mostly when people are on the beach, sunset or sunrise tends to be like the premier activities that everyone wants to sort of… Yeah, okay.

Dr. Nishanth:And we have clients who enjoy sunbathing from morning till evening. They come only for lunch and then go back to the sun, I mean, to the beach. So the beach is that calm.

Ananya: Yeah, being on the beach is, in itself, a process of healing. The sea also helps you calm down, relax, and everything.

Dr. Nishanth: That’s right. So these are the main highlights, I should say.

Ananya: Yeah, that’s a lot of activities that one can already do at the beach.

14. Food & meals [16:12 - 18:14]

Ananya: Could you tell us a little bit more about, like, the kind of food that you have at the restaurants and all that are running at the property? What sort of meals can one sort of partake in?

Dr. Nishanth: Yes, we are providing what we call Satvik food, and according to Ayurveda, there are three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. So there are three energy factors in our body. So the food here we provide is Ayurvedic, vegetarian food that will not harm your digestive strength. It will immunize you, and it’s light. People are enjoying the food; some people come just to stay here, just to enjoy the food. People say the food is very delicious here, and we even have clients who come only for the food. So definitely, food will be an attracting factor when you visit here.

Ananya: Okay, do you have a special dish or something from the local cuisine that you offer?

Dr. Nishanth: On request, we prepare some Kerala food for them, but apart from that, we have a buffet service here. We have different food kept in the buffet, but again, that will be designed according to the clients visiting here.

It depends on the occupancy and the taste of the prepared food. On request, we have different recipes. If they have some recipes, they can also suggest them, and we will definitely try if the kitchen is available.

Ananya: Okay, so when people are learning about food in their kitchen classes, they may learn about recipes, and then they could also request some special types of foods to be made.

Dr. Nishanth: Yes, kitchen sessions. And every day we have different kinds of food, especially on Saturdays. We call it Sadya. It’s a very popular Kerala recipe, Sadya, which has different food items that please all the taste buds on our tongue. So that’s what we can say. That’s a particular recipe in Kerala, which we call Sadya.

Ananya: Oh yeah, the Onam Sadyas are very popular.

Dr. Nishanth: Yes, and people enjoy it very much. So that’s why we have made Saturday a special day for Sadya lunch.

15. Nearest places to visit [18:14 - 19:20]

Ananya: Talking about the location that you are in a little bit more. So you mentioned that it’s only you that is there within that 10-kilometer span on both sides. What’s your nearest sort of urban area, like a city that one can get to in case they’re looking for some restaurants or businesses or shops they can visit?

Dr. Nishanth: Yes, as I said, at the end of these 10 kilometers, there are two towns on both sides. One is Triprayar, one is in the district of… So they can find malls, different kinds of malls and shopping. They can do the shopping in the malls, and if they want to try some restaurants, there are very good restaurants available in both these towns. Apart from just trying the restaurants, they can visit some temples. There are golden temples there.

So it’s a very good attraction for most of the clients. So they can go shopping, have good food, and visit the temple stores. All these are in these towns, and we have transportation facilities if they want to book a car.

16. Boat trips [19:20 - 21:01]

Ananya: They can take some boat trips? So usually, like, is there a specific site that is visited during the boat trip, or is it just like going out into the sea and enjoying the views?

Dr. Nishanth: Both are there. They can enjoy the backwaters to some extent, then go to the sea. They take the clients to the ocean, where the ocean and the river meet. So that’s one of the highlights. On the way, there are different coconut farms they can see. Of course, Kerala is known as the land of coconuts. Kerala means the land of coconut trees. So this boat trip will be fully surrounded by the coconut farms. So that’s a very good treat for them. And during the trip, they offer some coconut water so they can enjoy everything.

Ananya: And there are two types of boat trips. Either they can book a houseboat and travel through the ocean and through the river and ocean, or we have kayaking.

They can use their legs; they can go themselves. So both are private boats also available, as well as shared boats. Okay, so right at the property itself, like they don’t have to venture out looking for the boats, they’re available with you.

Dr. Nishanth: Yes, it’s almost six kilometers from here, from our center, to the booking facility. The boat trip is not on our private beach. We have to take them to the nearest town where they have the boat trips.

Ananya: Okay, so you have a tie-up with another local that conducts the boat trip.

Dr. Nishanth: We connect with the clients so they can arrange a taxi. They just get in a taxi, and they can be there.

Ananya: Okay, that’s pretty smooth.

17. Golden Temple [21:01 - 21:14]

Ananya: Yeah, you mentioned that there’s a golden temple that can be visited in the area.

Dr. Nishanth: Yes.

Ananya: What is the town in which it is located?

Dr. Nishanth: It’s known as Triprayar.

18. Other attractions [21:14 - 22:41]

Ananya: Okay, and apart from the temple and some of the malls, etc., what are the other attractions nearby that your guests want to visit or usually end up going to?

Dr. Nishanth: If they want to go for a half-day trip or something, we have other options, like there’s a waterfall. It’s almost one hour from here. So it could be a half-day or a full-day trip.

That is one option. There is also an Ayurvedic museum. Previously, we used to conduct museum visits and then the waterfalls visit. So it could be a full-day trip.

And also, we have, towards the south, a very historically important place, like Fort Kochi, where the Jewish people had stayed. There’s a Jewish town.

People can visit that too. It could be a half-day trip or a full-day trip. From morning till evening, they will have to spend time. And the waterfall is a very good attraction where most of the Indian movies have been filmed. So that photo can also be shared.

Ananya: Oh, that will be great. How far away are you from Kochi?

Dr. Nishanth: From Kochi, it is almost one and a half hours.

Ananya: Okay, that’s not that much. Yeah. I think we have covered all the details about the property itself and the location that you’re in.

19. Other highlights [22:41 - 23:04]

Ananya: Anything else that you would like to highlight?

Dr. Nishanth: Of course, being an Ayurvedic physician, you can enjoy it if you have any health issues. So I can say this will be a full coverage. If you want to enjoy a luxury stay and if you want to treat yourself, de-stress, learn yoga, and engage in different activities, then this is the right place for you.

20. Package details & consultation [23:04 - 25:14]

Ananya: So let’s say if someone’s coming with the intention of getting a treatment, do they have to separately book the package for the treatment and their stay, or do you have combined offers running?

Dr. Nishanth: We have combined offers. We have different options, and also we have combined options. If they want to experience all the services, then we have all-service packages that include treatment, food, stay, and side visits, so the reservation team can help you with all this information.

Ananya: That’s great. So you’re looking out for both types of people: those who are looking for treatments, healing, and wellness as well as those who just want to enjoy the location.

Dr. Nishanth: Yes, but those who are coming just for the stay, they’re also free to talk with us. They can come anytime to consult with the doctors if they have any health issues. They can discuss, and if they want some information, we can also share that.

Ananya: Oh, so on-the-spot consultation?

Dr. Nishanth: Yes, people come here, experience some treatments, and then go for some packages while they’re here. So that is also available.

Ananya: Okay, so they don’t always need to book in advance. They can also come and just figure it out while they’re there?

Dr. Nishanth: Yes, but it would be better if they can pre-book the treatments because when they come here, if it’s a peak season, availability may not be there. So it would be a better option if they can pre-book.

Ananya: Yeah, that helps you plan better based on the number of guests and all. That makes sense.

Dr. Nishanth: One more thing is people who are coming here, if they have any doubts or if they have any lab reports or health issues, they can have an online consultation as well. This way, we can tell them how chronic or severe the intensity of the health issue is. Based on that, we suggest the duration of 10 days, 12 days, or which package they can take if they have any doubts about selecting a package. We help with that as well.

Ananya: Oh, that’s great that you can guide them about the duration during which they should be undergoing the treatment.

Dr. Nishanth: Exactly.

Ananya: Okay, that’s pretty great.

21. Tips & advice [25:14 - 27:02]

Ananya: So I think we’ve covered all our questions. I just have one last question for you, which is any advice or tips that you would have for prospective guests? Anything that you want to let them know that they shouldn’t forget to bring to Veda5 Ayurveda Living Village?

Dr. Nishanth: Actually, they should bring only their necessary items because all the other things are provided here. When it comes to the treatment, we provide a gown to wear. We have all the facilities available, just like in their home; everything will be ready in the room. So there’s nothing particular that they should bring from home, only their necessary items. Every other facility, whether it’s a vehicle or airport pickup and drop, everything we arrange. All this will be explained upon booking, and we will share a snapshot of all the facilities they will get here.

Ananya: Oh, that’s great. So they just need to bring themselves and their most necessary items.

Dr. Nishanth: Yes, exactly.

Ananya: Okay, everything else you’ll take care of?

Dr. Nishanth: Yes, that’s right.

Ananya: Thank you so much, Dr. Nishanth, for talking to us today and introducing us to your property, Veda5 Ayurveda Living Village. It was wonderful to get to know it and to speak with you as well. Thank you so much for taking out the time.

Dr. Nishanth: Actually, I should thank you for introducing our center to the public. It’s my privilege to explain these things.

Ananya: Yes, I hope the viewers find all these details and information useful, and I hope they end up visiting you based on the video that we have shared today. Thank you so much.

Dr. Nishanth: Thank you. Bye.