Kerala-style Shirodhara Instrument is soon Estabilished at Gopabandhu Ayurveda college, Puri, Oddisa

 The state-run Gopabandhu Ayurveda College in Puri will soon have tourists soaking in the goodness of shirodhara and other ayurvedic massages once the Centre-run Ayush department opens a centre of excellence for panchakarma at the college for the promotion of health tourism. "The town has the potential to attract visitors through the promotion of ayurveda and health tourism. The Gopabandhu Ayurveda College has the necessary infrastructure to start a centre," said central adviser of ayurveda, S K Sharma."States like Kerala and Goa have been wooing overseas tourists with their ayurveda panchakarma therapies. Since Puri witnesses a good footfall of tourists, the state government should cash in on the potential of ayurveda and yoga," advised Sharma. The central adviser said he had asked the college authorities to construct a separate building to make ayurveda facilities available for tourists. "There should be huts and cubicles where tourists can enjoy the benefits of ayurveda massage and other rejuvenating treatments from experts," he said. "Central funds up to Rs 2 crore can be granted to the college to develop it into a centre of excellence for panchakarma," Sharma added. Dr Deba Dash, head of panchakarma department, said, "The official offered a good suggestion to attract tourists to the beach town. We will soon send a proposal to the ayush department." Notably, taking a leaf out of Kerala, the state government in 2003 opened an ayurveda club in the college to woo tourists. The club had all ayurveda panchakarma therapeutic facilities, including massage and shirodhara; but after two years, the idea petered out. "Even though we have all resources and facilities at the club, there are very few takers. In fact, very few people know we have such facilities here," a college official said. "The club could not gain popularity because of lack of government patronage and marketing. Taking advantage of this, a number of hotels and standalone spas came up with panchakarma facilities," the official added.

Source:TNN