Hello

Healing through Ayurveda  for Over 100 years

Ayurveda, meaning “the science of life,” is one of the world’s oldest medical systems, originating in India over 5,000 years ago and offering a holistic approach to prevention, diagnosis, and natural healing.

During British rule, however, Ayurveda was systematically sidelined as colonial authorities promoted Western medicine while neglecting indigenous knowledge systems. In response, the Zamorin of Calicut, Manavikrama Ettan Raja, took a visionary step in 1902 by founding the Arya Vaidya Samajam at Chalappuram, Kozhikode, with the aim of making Ayurvedic treatment accessible to the public.

In a rare act of unity, the rulers of Kochi and Malabar, together with eminent Ashta Vaidya families, strengthened this initiative. In 1913, the organization was renamed the Keraleeya Ayurveda Samajam, which went on to establish the world’s first public Ayurvedic hospital at Cheruthuruthy.

The Samajam’s Legacy

What distinguished the Samajam was its institutional approach. For the first time, Ayurveda moved from private households into an organised, hospital-based system, enabling structured and systematic patient care.

In 1911, British attitudes toward Ayurveda began to change when Sir Basil Scott, Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, was cured of a chronic stomach ailment by the Samajam’s Chief Physician, Thriprangottu Parameswaran Mooss. This landmark event earned the institution colonial recognition and led to the creation of the honorary title Vaidyaratnam, first conferred on Parameswaran Mooss.

Today, more than a century later, the Samajam stands as the world’s oldest organized Ayurvedic institution, continuing its mission of healing and preservation of authentic Ayurvedic knowledge.

Samajam Chikilsa Sampradayam (Panchakarma of Samajam)

The Samajam pioneered the institutionalised practice of Panchakarma therapies. Traditional procedures are meticulously administered, including distinctive Kerala therapies such as Dhara, Pizhichil, Thalapothichil, Njavarakkizhi, and Njavaralepam. The Samajam also introduced the sequential application of therapies—an innovation that became foundational to modern Ayurvedic practice. All treatments are carried out by well-trained male and female therapists under the close supervision of experienced physicians.

Addressing Critical Health Concerns

The Samajam offers specialised care for gynecological conditions such as infertility and menstrual disorders under expert female physicians. It also treats a wide range of chronic and complex conditions including spinal disorders, autoimmune diseases, arthritis, psoriasis, neurological conditions, post-stroke rehabilitation, migraine, sleep disorders, and stress-related illnesses.

Alongside therapeutic care, wellness treatments for relaxation and rejuvenation are offered. Patients from Europe, the United States, and Australia return year after year, drawn by the institution’s authenticity and holistic approach.

The Samajam Experience

Spread across eight acres along the banks of the Bharathappuzha, the hospital campus features a serene cottage-style layout. Treatments range from one week to 45 days, depending on medical needs. The Samajam also prepares its own medicines in-house, drawing from classical texts and ancient manuscripts.

A Society-Oriented Institution

The Samajam is a service-oriented, non-profit institution. Revered as a “pitrutulya” (parent) institution by generations of practitioners, it remains open to public membership and democratic leadership through elections held every five years.

Future Vision

As it approaches its 125th anniversary, the Samajam is pursuing global accreditations and exploring collaboration with the Ministry of AYUSH. Its vision is to be recognized not only as the world’s first Ayurvedic institution, but also as one of the leading global centres for authentic Ayurvedic care.

H.O.: Ganeshgiri P.O.,
Shoranur – 679 123, Palakkad Dist., Kerala State, India.
Phone: 0466 2222403, 2223225
9447272403, 9400224528

Branches:
Thiruvananthapuram:
Ph: 0471-2338145, 2321810
Ernakulam:
Ph: 0484 2342469, 8089671800
Chennai:
Ph: 044-28132361, 28130874
Andaman:
Ph: 03192-244445, 244233

‘Sudarshanam’ is not merely a private venture; it arose as part of a nucleus of Ayurveda enthusiasts, scientists, and charitable workers who, in the mid-1980s, conceived it as a shared vision. It is the dream of restoring balance to each of the eight branches of Ashtanga Ayurveda to their ancient glory. The eight divisions comprise Kaya (bodily health), Bala (cardiovascular and growth-related), Graha (psychiatry and mental health), Urdhvaanga (head and neck), Shalakya Tantra (ophthalmology, ENT, and dental), Shalya (trauma and surgery), Damshtra (teeth bite,toxicolgy), and Jara Chikitsa (geriatric care). Within Urdhvaanga, the subspecialty of Netra Chikitsa — Shalakya Tantra — denotes interventions performed by Shalya Shastras (surgical arts).

In 1990, at the request of the world-renowned Ophthalmic surgeon and Padma Bhushan awardee, late Dr. S. S. Badarinath, who had established the Chennai Sankara Nethralaya, he visited Thiruvalla for two days to understand the strengths and limitations of Ayurvedic Ophthalmology. Based on these insights, he conceived an extensive 26-page project and recommended it for providing scope of Ayurveda in Eyecare.

Consequently, Ayurvedic graduate Dr B. G. Gokulan, was invited to the Medical Research Foundation (MRF) to work with MS Fellows for a year, during which he got trained, taught examination techniques, and studied research models.

With self-criticism and a view to addressing the many limitations of modern ophthalmic care, Dr. Badarinath indicated that many substantial solutions could be contributed by Ayurveda.

After completing training in modern ophthalmic examination techniques successfully, Sudarshanam Eye Clinic began formal operations in 1993.

Now, after over 30 years of service to the public, Sudarshanam has achieved meaningful progress in offering hope for many conditions previously deemed inoperable or untreatable – related to nerve (neural) vision, other eye diseases, and more.

The increasing visual impairments in children, nerve-related visual disturbances in the elderly, numerous allergic ophthalmic diseases, immune disorders, and progressive keratoconus in youths are areas where Ayurveda has demonstrated effectiveness over the past three decades.

Having examined data from hundreds of diseases, treatments and prepared to publish research findings, discussions are progressing with Gujarat’s premier Ayurvedic educational institution, Parul University, for collaboration.

Though it is a private venture, Sudarshanam has, in an exceptional manner, been delivering  treatment free of cost to local, disadvantaged patients, and treatment at free or subsidized rates for other poor patients. Moreover, as per the decision of the Ayurvedic hospital management association, for the last 4 years treatments have been provided at no profit, to members of the Indian Defence, Army, Police, and their close relatives.

Dr. B. G. Gokulan

Sudarshanam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital & Panchakarma Center

Thymala, Manjadi PO, Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta Dist ; KERALA INDIA – 689  105

Phone (clinic): 9447163071

Clinic: 8075150603