For past few days, Kerala has been getting drenched in the rain. To those belonging to the older generation, this rainfall is reminiscent of the kind of showers the state used to receive decades ago. In those days, Karkidakam, the last month in the Malayalam calendar, was usually marked by heavy rain that adversely affected the lives of people. As a tradition, Malayalis have been following a special treatment regime during Karkidakam, a time when the body is vulnerable.
If nurtured properly at this time, it is believed that the renewed immunity levels can keep the person away from any kind of ailments throughout the year. Another practice that originated during Karkidakam is the reading of Ramayana, an effort to boost their confidence in order to overcome nature’s fury. However, times have changed and so have the worries. The irony, however, is that Karkidakam that is popularly known as Panja Masam is a prosperous month for those selling physical and spiritual rejuvenation packages. From special Ramayana discourses to ‘seasonal’ ayurvedic clinics and spas as well as readymade packets of ‘Karkidaka Kanji’ — A medicated gruel made with boiled cereals and medicinal plants the city markets are overflowing with deals for everyone.
“What surprises me the most is that even people these days are invariably undergoing Ayurveda-based body rejuvenation therapies with an impression that the body is highly receptive to the treatments during this period. People should understand that Ayurveda recommends Rithu Chary, which means that one should undergo special treatments and specific observance of diet and lifestyle suitable for each season to help the body adapt to the changing seasons. These treatments are not exclusively meant for Karkidakam. However, it is a month when the climate is less humid and the chances of vadam, a state when body incurs joint pain is more. So Karkidaka chikilsa is needed,” says Lakshmy Ravindran, an Ayurveda physician.
Commenting on the pros and cons of the treatment, she says it is beneficial to the body if one takes a proper course of treatments, which includes various massages along with the suitable medication and a proper diet to supplement the whole procedure. However, she is of the opinion that opting for a treatment, without consulting a doctor and knowing which type of treatment is required, is not a good idea. “If you are a person who leads a disciplined lifestyle in terms of food, exercise and other daily routines then the Karkidaka treatment is definitely going to be of great use to you. But if you are a person who doesn't exercise and eats everything unhealthy then how can you expect to build up the immunity levels by just taking a course of few massages?” she asks.
However, the inflow of people to Ayurvedic clinics during this time of the month is just increasing every year. Unnikrishnan Gurukal who runs a Marmachikitsalayam says he has regular clients who block the dates for Karkidakam treatment for three years consecutively. “People these days are conscious about their immunity levels and are ready to invest any amount of time and money to boost it. Moreover, actors like Mohanlal are ardent followers of Ayurvedic treatments and are also giving fitness goals to many,” he giggles. Unnikrishnan adds that taking treatments during Kark idakam can have immense positive effects on the body. But if done without the supervision of an expert, it can also lead to lifelong adverse effects.
Provision stores too are dumped with the Karkidaka Kanji mixes of various types and according to the shopkeepers, the takers for these packets have drastically improved in past few years. Smitha Sreejith, who owns a PR official, begs to differ. She is of the opinion that refraining from non-vegetarian diet and switching to a vegetarian diet is what people have to do first in order to boost their immunity. “It is not rocket science. It is clear that during rainy season our body sweats the least and thus eating food items that digest quickly and do not harm our digestive system is the best thing one can do. Only then will these treatments work in our favor. Going to an Ayurveda clinic once in a year and building up the immunity for a whole year is just not the right perception. I am particular about my lifestyle and try to maintain that throughout the year. I make the required changes according to the seasons and exercise. This keeps me fit and fine all year round,” she says.
In addition to the popular treatment regime, reciting some verses from the Ramayana is also an age-old tradition followed during this month. Commenting on its importance, Suresh Menon, a retired professor, says, “All these rituals, be it the Karkidakam treatments or reading Ramayana, were made in order to set a particular discipline. Moreover, people in the olden days used to work really hard and only got a break when it was raining. So they utilised that particular month for rejuvenating their bodies and getting spiritual.” The present trends, however, seem to have failed in meeting the real purpose behind such initiatives.
