Page 732 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

730  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Cultural Activities
Indian classical dance and
music are taught at renowned
institutes all over the country.
Triveni Kala Sangam (see p79) in
Delhi holds courses in classical
singing, dance and painting.
Dharamsala’s Norbulingka
Institute teaches Tibetan arts
and crafts, including thangka
painting and embroidery. The
dance village of Nrityagram,
near Bengaluru, offers long-term
courses in classical dance,
A traditional head massage with Ayurvedic oils, Kovalam Beach choreography, music and painting.
Kalakshetra in Chennai (see
Yoga and Healing natural foods, and are widely p576) is a premier institute for
Yoga, meditation and Hindu practised in India. Ayurvedic teaching Carnatic music and
philosophy are taught at treatment, using special herbal classical dance, and the Kerala
ashrams and spiritual centres oils, is believed to have Kala Mandalam (see p655), near
in most Indian cities. Some of originated in Kerala (see p633), Thrissur, is another renowned
the best are in Rishikesh, where and is widely practised there centre for the performing arts.
courses are conducted by today. Almost all hotels in the A few travel agencies
learned gurus, renowned in state have Ayurvedic centres, offer special interest tours on
their fields. Of these, the especially around Kovalam subjects such as architecture,
Sivananda Ashram (see p693) and Thiruvananthapuram. rural and tribal culture, tra ditional
is the most famous. The Kairali arts and crafts, and cuisine.
Pune’s Osho Ayurvedic Health They make itineraries to suit
Inter national Resort at individual tastes. Incent Tours
Commune (see Palakkad (with focuses on textiles, architecture
p474), started in branches in Delhi and food, while Travel Link
the 1960s by the and Khajuraho), specializes in tribal tours
charismatic guru and the in Odisha.
Bhagwan Rajneesh, Somatheeram Various institutions all over
offers residential Ayurvedic Resort the country promote traditional
courses in Logo of a yoga centre in Rishikesh at Kovalam are crafts and artisans. The Crafts
meditation and among the best Museum (see pp84–5) in Delhi,
philosophy. The Ramamani centres. For visitors in search and the Dastkar Craft Centre,
Iyengar Memorial Yoga of medical advice and which is near Ranthambhore in
Institute, run by the well- treatment, the Arya Vaidyasala Rajasthan, are two places where
known Yogacharya BKS Iyengar, in Kottakkal (see p656) is a visitors can observe artisans
is also in Pune, and offers a pioneer institute. at work and learn more about
choice of hatha yoga courses. India also has a handful of their skills and way of life.
Among India’s other reputed luxury spas, which emphasize
yoga and meditation centres holistic healing (see p692).
are the Sri Aurobindo Ashram The Jindal Naturecure
in Puducherry (see p693), the Institute in Bengaluru, also
Chinmaya Mission at Mumbai known as Jindal’s Farm, admits
and the Ramakrishna Mission patients for specialized
at Belur Math. Hotels and travel treatments for respiratory and
agencies can find out about stomach disorders, ulcers,
local branches of many of migraines and diabetes.
these centres. Other healing practices,
India also has numerous such as Reiki and Pranic
institutes that conduct courses healing (methods that channel
in Buddhist meditation and positive forces through the
vipassana. Dharamsala and body’s chakras or energy
McLeodganj, the home of centres), are practised in many
the Dalai Lama, have some larger cities, and it is best to
of the best centres. Residential check local city magazines for
courses are held at the Tushita details. A magazine, published
Meditation Centre. Ayurveda every month, called Life
and naturopathy rely on the Positive, focuses on New-Age Gujarati musicians at the Crafts Museum,
healing powers of herbs and healing techniques. New Delhi

730-731_EW_India.indd 730 26/04/17 11:50 am
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