Some consider rain an inconvenience; however, many others look upon it as a time to rejuvenate and detoxify, and this is particularly true in India. In this feature, we focus on Dharana at Shillim, a wellness retreat the Sahyadri Mountains in Maharashtra, where you can reset, restart, and reinvigorate your mind and body during monsoon season through its Ayurvedic Panchakarma programme.
The Indian monsoon, which lasts from June to September, sweeps across the country, showering it with life-giving rain. During this season, western and central India, where the wellness retreat Dharana at Shillim is located, receives more than 90% of its annual rainfall.
It is a long-held belief in India that, as the showers replenish the gushing streams and transform the lush greenery into its most vibrant emerald hues, they also provide the most effective conditions to reset for the ultimate detoxification and rejuvenation treatment – a Panchakarma programme – with added welcome respite from the dust and heat.
Panchakarma: A Cornerstone of Ayurvedic Medicine
Panchakarma is a holistic cleansing system designed for profound physical and emotional renewal. It combines the ancient art of Ayurveda with modern diagnostics. The process begins with a detailed exploration of your Dosha—your unique bio-genetic makeup—uncovering imbalances brought on by stress, diet, and lifestyle. A customised Dinacharya (daily routine) then expels toxins (free radicals), restores digestive harmony, and boosts immunity.
The process is said to be highly beneficial for chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, as well as skin conditions, autoimmune disorders, and allergies. In addition to its immediate benefits, Panchakarma educates on nurturing long-term well-being through adopting a holistic approach and being mindful of the root causes of our ailments and imbalances.
Extracting the Essence of Panchakarma at Dharana at Shillim
Nestled within a UNESCO Heritage site and one of the world’s top ten biodiversity hotspots, the Dharana at Shillim philosophy is centred on healing in alignment with nature’s cyclical rhythm. It promises a unique experience from one visit to the next as the seasons change this remarkable landscape.
Positioned in the heart of the Sahyadri Mountains—a range older than the Himalayas—Dharana’s guests are blessed with a wide choice of adventurous daily rituals to immerse themselves in the breathtaking natural surroundings; think forest treks to Shillim Peak, bird watching, and wild dips in the rivers that form in the valleys, thanks to the rainfall.
The amplified effects of Dharana’s 14, 21, or 28-night Panchakarma programmes taken during monsoon season come from bio-purification treatments like Snehapana (medicated ghee consumption), Vamana (therapeutic vomiting) and Virechana (purgation).
Other treatments, such as Kashaya Vasthy (herbal enemas), Anuvasana Vasthy (oil enemas), and Nasyam (nasal therapy), balance the doshas and restore harmony. Rice poultices, oil massages, and herbal bundle treatments further detoxify, rejuvenate, and soothe, supported by emotional detox practices like Pranayama meditation, talk therapy, and a doha-based diet at the Green Table.
The Cleansing Power of Rain
Ayurveda recognises the soothing embrace of the monsoon season, or Varsha Ritu, as a time of introspection and reflection, an ideal setting for transformation and personal growth, as the downpours nourish the earth.
During this time, the body is primed to receive treatments, with the skin’s pores opening up from the humid climate, facilitating the absorption of medicine, and expelling the unwanted toxins more easily.
Muscles relax, assisting yoga beginners in easing into their practice. The soothing rhythm of rainfall on the forest leaves, which happens mainly in the evening, encourages a deepened sense of calm while settling the dust and cooling down the air temperature. It creates an atmosphere of tranquillity, with mild and largely dry days inviting one to fully immerse oneself in the 2,500 acres of the pristine, freshly drenched landscape surrounding it.
You can learn more about the Dharana at Shillim wellness retreat and its Panchakarma programme at www.dharanaretreat.com.
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